Recently updated on March 27th, 2025
Tom Durham is a well-respected figure in the world of outdoor safety, blending his deep experience as an outdoor sports instructor with a pioneering approach to first aid training. With over 15 years as a first aid trainer and assessor and more than 25 years in outdoor sports guiding and instruction worldwide, Tom has dedicated his career to empowering outdoor enthusiasts with life-saving skills. But his impact goes beyond training – he’s also reshaping the first aid training sector with a strong focus on sustainability, proving that doing good for people and the planet is simply good business.
His journey started in the windswept shores of Fife, Scotland, where his love for the outdoors was sparked. Tom spent countless hours sailing and windsurfing, inspired by his father and grandfather, both avid sailors. This early connection to the water shaped Tom’s future, propelling him toward a career that would merge his passions for outdoor adventure and safety.
After finishing school, Tom launched into the world of water sports instruction, working across Europe in France, Greece, Spain, and Croatia. Over time, he expanded his skills, earning certifications as a mountain bike guide, yachting and powerboat instructor, and spent winters in the Alps adopting a “ski bum beach bum” lifestyle that served as a jumping off point for the next phase of his career.
Throughout this time, one thing became clear – first aid was an essential skill that few took seriously. As an outdoor instructor, Tom was required to renew his first aid certification every three years, and over time, he realised he could be the one teaching these courses. He saw an opportunity to provide valuable, life-saving education to the same community he was already training in outdoor sports.
“After attending my fourth or fifth first aid course, I thought to myself, ‘I could teach this,’” Tom recalls. This realisation, combined with a suggestion from a family friend, set him on a new path.
Delivering lifesaving training at scale
Tom started Collective Training Limited, but quickly realised the challenges faced by self-employed first aid trainers – including large amounts of administrative work, lack of opportunities to share best practice with other trainers, and keeping up in an industry with ever increasing regulation and changing guidance.
After six years of building his business, Tom partnered with a like-minded trainer Cory Jones to form the First Aid Training Co-operative (FATC), a groundbreaking model designed to share resources, reduce the administrative burden, and create a sustainable career path for first aid trainers. They wanted to create a model that continued to deliver first class first aid training, but also tackled some of these issues for first aid training businesses.
Today, FATC has grown into a thriving network with an office team of five and over 25 trainers across the UK, delivering life-saving training to many 1000’s of individuals each year, not just in physical first aid, but mental health first aid too.
“The co-operative business model allowed us to scale, support each other, and ensure that first aid training remained both high-quality and accessible. It’s not just about running a business; it’s about building a community of like-minded professionals who can rely on each other. The co-operative model means we’re all working towards the same goal: training more people, saving more lives, and making first aid education as accessible and sustainable as possible.” says Tom.
For Tom, first aid training isn’t just about ticking boxes or following a syllabus. It’s about creating an engaging, hands-on experience that ensures people leave feeling truly prepared for real-life emergencies.
“A great first aid course isn’t just about following a syllabus – it’s about making the training practical, engaging, and relevant. We want people to leave our courses feeling like they truly understand what to do in an emergency, not just that they’ve passed a test.” Says Tom.
Rather than relying on passive learning, the First Aid Training Co-operative uses interactive methods, real-world scenarios, and practical application to reinforce life-saving skills in a step by step manner.
“It’s not enough to just run a course and hope people remember what they learned,” Tom says. “We use a hands-on approach to make sure the skills stick.”
Sustainability at the core
Sustainability isn’t just a buzzword for Tom – it’s woven into the fabric of his business. He believes that environmental, social, and business sustainability must work together to create long-lasting impact.
The First Aid Training Co-operative has taken bold steps to reduce its environmental footprint, recognising that even small changes can make a big difference in the first aid sector. Some of the key initiatives include removing paper waste by moving administrative tasks online and developing a trainer app for on-course management and administration. FATC have measured their environmental impact over many years and have been carbon neutral since 2022, purchasing credits through verified carbon reduction programs for the emissions that they cannot currently avoid.
“We don’t just want to sustain the status quo; we want to improve it. Our goal is to find better, more sustainable ways to train people in life-saving skills,” Tom says.
Beyond environmental efforts, Tom is deeply committed to social responsibility. As a co-operative, the organisation is built on fairness, inclusivity, and shared success. FATC pays all staff well above the national living wage, being officially recognised as a Living Wage Accredited Employer, and shares its profits with all Associates as well as donating a portion to organisations like Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance, to help save even more lives. In addition they have partnered with Backbone CIC’s Leaders for Change Academy, actively working to remove barriers for Black and Brown individuals to become first aid trainers.
“We have a responsibility – not just to the environment, but to our people and the communities we serve. If we can make first aid training more inclusive and accessible, we’re doing our bit to create a safer world.” Says Tom.
The future of first aid training
Looking ahead, Tom is focused on expanding the reach of The First Aid Training Co-operative while continuing to drive sustainability forward. New initiatives include the option for learners to purchase carbon credits to offset emissions, selecting course venues with accessibility via public transport in mind, and using more sustainable materials – including researching alternative options for the single-use plastics in first aid training.
Tom Durham is more than a business manager – he’s a change-maker, redefining what it means to be a leader in the first aid training industry. Through his commitment to high-quality training, sustainable business practices, and social responsibility, he is not only equipping people with life-saving skills but also demonstrating that we can all do our bit to ensure that future generations can enjoy a healthier, fairer planet.
As he puts it, “Doing good for people and the planet is just good business. But more than that, it’s our responsibility.”
Arlo Change Makers is a series that highlights the passionate people behind training organisations that are changing people’s lives.
We are proud to be the platform behind the First Aid Training Co-operative, helping them streamline administration, scale their business and deliver more impactful training.
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