HERE in Solihull, our schools are not just places of learning – they are places where young people can gain the skills to protect themselves and others.
Just before Easter, I had the privilege of visiting Light Hall School to help run a “Stop the Bleed” training session, giving students and staff practical, life-saving skills.
As a former trauma doctor I know how vital the first few minutes after a serious injury can be. Too often, ordinary people feel powerless – but with the right guidance, anyone can make a real difference.
This training builds directly on my Ten Minute Rule Bill Motion, the Emergency and Life-saving Skills (Schools) Bill, which seeks to strengthen community resilience and ensure that more people have the skills and confidence to respond effectively in critical situations.
By equipping students with hands-on, practical knowledge, we are taking important steps toward a Britain where communities are prepared, capable, and caring.
Around 150 students at Light Hall took part, learning how to respond to severe bleeding – from applying direct pressure to using everyday materials to keep someone safe until professional help arrives. What struck me most was their maturity, engagement, and determination.
Recent deeply concerning incidents of knife crime remind us that young people can sometimes face dangers they should never encounter.
These sessions are not about causing alarm, they are about preparing, protecting, and empowering our communities for the future.
Imagine a society where every young person leaves school knowing how to act in an emergency. Not only would we save lives, but we would also nurture a sense of shared responsibility and care for one another.
That is the Britain I want to help build: safe, compassionate, and ready to meet challenges head-on.
I am enormously grateful to the team at citizenAID and to Light Hall School for making this possible.
Much of life in Westminster can feel distant from the concerns of everyday life. But seeing students equipped to respond in emergencies reminded me why national resilience matters.
By giving people the tools and confidence to protect themselves and others, we are strengthening not only our schools, but our communities – and building a safer, stronger Solihull, and Britain, for everyone.
Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst,
MP for Solihull West and Shirley
