Angus police officer wins national award for safety work with young people

PC David Voigt was named Community Champion 2023 at the prestigious Scottish First Aid Awards in Glasgow.

Police Constable David Voigt instigated the roll out of Safe Angus to more than 1000 youngsters, a programme created for S1 pupils to learn life skills including first aid, water and fire safety, social media safety, responsible relationships and the dangers of drugs, alcohol and vaping.

In his role as Preventions, Interventions and Partnerships Officer for Angus, PC Voigt led the co-ordination of the programme across all schools in the Angus area, working in partnership with emergency services and third party organisations to deliver the sessions, with each input spread out over the course of a single school day.

The programme has been well received by teachers and pupils alike, with all now benefiting from a better understanding of basic CPR and first aid, as well as knowledge of public access defibs in the area and how to use them.

Seven schools received the training, with an average of 150 pupils per school undergoing the session. Feedback included feeling more confident in knowing what to do in certain situations and how to help friends and family if they thought there was a problem.

On winning the award, Police Constable Voigt said: “Engaging with pupils and teachers through the roll out of Safe Angus has been a pleasure and thanks should go to each organisation I have worked to deliver it. It has been great to see the enthusiasm and engagement from all the pupils and to know that they are now in a better position to manage various situations with confidence and calm.

“I’m naturally thrilled to have won this award from St Andrew’s First Aid, and I hope that the programme will continue to be delivered to S1 pupils in Angus each year, helping to build communities of safety and first aid confident individuals.”

The Community Champion category of the St Andrew’s First Aid Scottish First Aid Awards saw an exceptional response, with six finalists shortlisted for their demonstrations of making a difference in communities through teaching lifesaving skills.

Stuart Callison, chief executive of St Andrew’s First Aid, said: “David has shown a great commitment and dedication to equipping young people with life skills which could make a significant difference to others. His hard work is a clear demonstration of the difference that one person can make in communities and he thoroughly deserved to win this award.”

More than 400 people attended the St Andrew’s First Aid Scottish First Aid Awards which were held at Radisson Blu on Cambridge Street in Glasgow. The night was hosted by actor, comedian and writer, Sanjeev Kohli, also known as shopkeeper, Navid Harrid from Still Game.

More than 60 nominations across nine categories were received this year, each one highlighting an exceptional example of first aid intervention, skill or sharing best practice.