A CHURCH in Radcliffe has set up its own not-for-profit first aid tuition company after finding the cost of training church volunteers was so high.

Reverend David Callander, the minister at Trinity Baptist Church in Westminster Avenue, has been a qualified first aid instructor for around six years.

After moving to Trinity Baptist from Warrington last February, he realised more volunteers at the church needed to know first aid but training costs were prohibitively high.

He decided to set up a company, Churches Training, which was formed to teach first aid to church members at a fraction of the cost.

It soon expanded to include charities, not-for-profit organisations and unemployed people in Radcliffe and across Bury, and now also covers businesses and members of the public for an increased fee.

As part of the church’s mission strategy, first aid courses – which usually cost around £150 – can be offered for as little as £20.

Rev Callander said: “When I arrived at the church last year, at least two staff needed first aid training, but we knew how expensive the training costs were.

“After realising other churches in Radcliffe were in the same position of not being able to afford the training for their volunteers, we offered the opportunity out to the town and have had several churches take us up on the offer.”

Rev Callander is an experienced first aid trainer, having spent a year in London teaching G4S staff ahead of the 2012 Olympics.

He added: “Offering the training at a reduced price to unemployed people helps them gain valuable skills for their CV, and become more involved in the community.”

The courses offered include emergency first aid, which are next to take place at the church on March 7 and March 13, while paediatric first aid sessions will take place on March 19 and March 20. As well as in Radcliffe, training currently also takes place in Bury.

For more information: go to churchestraining.com