The Care Aware Crew project began in 2022 when a successful grant application to Q Exchange enabled the group’s Steering Committee to set up a pilot programme to assess the quality and impact on pupils of a set of Care Aware Crew lessons in six schools across Limerick. Designed to equip 3rd and 4th class pupils with leadership and health promotion skills, the programme was developed collaboratively by clinical and academic staff from HSE Mid West, the University of Limerick, and Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board (LCETB).

Five animated video lessons compiled in association with local clinical professionals, following consultations with teachers and pupils, were delivered in each school. Each lesson covered a different aspect of first aid while corresponding worksheets helped reinforce learning. The overwhelmingly positive response from pupils and educators highlighted the positive impact of the programme and the need for continued development.

Building on its early success, the Care Aware Crew pilot programme expanded to include 13 schools across Limerick and Clare in 2023. Thanks to additional funding from the JP McManus Fund, a new theme—the Human Body—was added to the programme. In line with this, three new lessons, namely Caring for Your Skin, Brilliant Brain, and Healthy Heart, were added to the programme to complement the pre-existing first Aid lessons.

As awareness and enthusiasm for the programme grew, so did its reputation as an engaging and valuable learning resource for young pupils.

In 2024, strategic expansion of the Care Aware Crew pilot programme continued and lessons were delivered in 16 schools to upwards of 700 pupils in 30 classrooms. Aiming for long-term sustainability, the steering committee secured €88,700 for programme development following a successful HSE Spark Impact bid. This funding enabled the Steering Committee to make Care Aware Crew educational materials available to every primary school in the Mid-West region.

The Spark Impact funding supports several key aspects of the Care Aware Crew project, including:

• Development of an independent website to enhance accessibility to the programme
• Development of new wellbeing-themed Care Aware Crew video lessons
• Provision of end-of-programme rewards to recognise pupils’ participation
• Compilation of pupil workbooks to promote extra engagement with and revision of content in the video lessons
• Provision of essential first aid supplies to facilitate role-play during lessons

In 2025, Care Aware Crew reached a milestone when it extended its reach to all primary schools in Ireland’s Mid-West region: 86 schools registered their interest in joining the programme. As a result, more than 3,000 pupils are participating in the latest iteration of the programme, in a range of schools that includes single-gender schools, mixed schools, DEIS and non-DEIS schools, urban and rural schools, and special schools.

The Steering Committee is committed to producing five new educational videos during the 2024-25 school. Two have been completed and launched this year while three wellbeing-themed videos are in production. A dedicated Care Aware Crew website, due to be launched in late 2025 will enable nationwide expansion of the programme.

With ethical approval secured (UL), research is actively underway to evaluate the programme’s impact on behaviours, attitudes, and knowledge through quizzes and focus groups.

Looking ahead, the Care Aware Crew brand will be known and trusted all over Ireland. The brand will instantly suggest quality, integrity and reliability regarding health promotion, health education and wellbeing.

The Care Aware Crew Steering Committee will continue to produce educational videos (and associated materials) that are child-friendly, teacher-friendly, evidence-based and freely available to schools and youth groups throughout Ireland. 

The Care Aware Crew is committed to creating a legacy of health awareness and empowerment for future generations.