In this issue of Healthcare Matters, we are pleased to feature Edge Services as our Training Company of the Year.
EDGE Services is one of the UK’s leading providers of people handling training. Offering Key Trainer certification in areas such as moving and handling, dementia care, and managing behaviour that challenges – they empower delegates to deliver this knowledge to their colleagues. Through a team of expert nurses, occupational therapists, and physiotherapists, EDGE equips trainers with the skills, techniques, and resources needed to improve health and safety for themselves, their colleagues, and the clients they support.
For more than 25 years, EDGE has set itself apart from other training providers – not only through the quality of its courses but also through its commitment to ensuring staff are equipped to deliver outstanding training while feeling supported, valued, and fulfilled in their roles. This dedication to employee wellbeing and development was formally recognised in 2024, when EDGE received the UK Employer of the Year: Silver (2-49 employees) award at The Investors in People Awards. The accolade highlights the company’s ongoing focus on building an exceptional workplace culture and fostering professional growth.
We checked in with Ruth Hewitt, Operations Manager at EDGE who gave us more information on the company’s history, and its recent award back in November 2024, “EDGE was founded in 1998 and, over the years, has grown steadily as experienced trainers joined the team. Today, the company is recognised as a leader in health and safety training across the UK healthcare and special needs education sectors.”
“In September 2021, EDGE became part of the RAH Group, founded by Craig Haley and Paul Melling. Craig now plays an active role as Managing Director, working closely with the well-established EDGE team to drive future growth and innovation.”
“Most recently, in November 2024, we were proud to be named UK Employer of the Year: Silver (2-49 employees) at The Investors in People Awards. This recognition is a testament to the dedication of the entire EDGE Services team and our commitment to making EDGE not only a great place to learn, but also a great place to work and grow.”
EDGE offers courses that are vital for healthcare, social care, and special needs training. Health and care work is a tough and demanding career, but equally as rewarding. When staff feel supported through good training that is relevant to their job and is well-delivered involving practical steps, it boosts confidence, job satisfaction, and overall reduces burnout and turnover.
Because EDGE uses qualified healthcare professionals and standardised, accredited content, it helps organisations maintain consistency in practices across teams, shifts, and settings, ensuring everyone adheres and works under the same protocols.
EDGE covers a vast number of topics and courses. As well as redeveloping their Understanding and Managing Behaviour that Challenges Key Trainer’s Certificate, EDGE has also recently launched a Dementia Care Key Trainer’s Certificate, both of which are accredited with RoSPA as Customised Awards at level 4.
Even though EDGE are more well-known for their manual handling training, the company is currently promoting the UMBC and Dementia courses.
The Understanding and Managing Behaviour that Challenges (UMBC) Course will comprise of pre-course reading, with two days face to face training including a written assignment. It will provide you with the knowledge, skills and confidence to train others in de-escalation and breakaway techniques, which can be adopted to deal with individuals exhibiting behaviour that challenges. This qualification will provide learners with the knowledge to analyse challenging behaviour situations and the skills to implement solutions in managing behaviour that challenges that comply with current best practice and promote inclusivity, whilst ensuring the wellbeing for the individual and their support worker.
Dementia Care Key Trainer’s Certificate involves a two-day course that provides delegates with the knowledge, skills and confidence to train others in awareness of dementia that can be adopted to deal with symptoms, challenges and how to work effectively. If you support or regularly interact with people living with dementia – whether in healthcare, social care, emergency services, hospitality, or the community, the Dementia Care Key Trainers Course equips you with practical, person-centred skills to inspire others to deliver compassionate, informed care. Designed to deepen your understanding, this course will strengthen your communication skills and help you to create true dementia-friendly environments wherever you work.
Ruth explained some of the key benefits of EDGE’s services, “We offer access to a Resource Library for the duration of a Key Trainer’s certification. This provides delegates with everything they need to onward deliver the training including paperwork, documentation, training tools and for manual handling, videos and eLearning modules.”
“We also have post training support where delegates can contact trainers to discuss any questions they may have, and we can offer guidance and support. This is very well received and appreciated by delegates.”
As well as constantly updating its courses and content to ensure continued development, EDGE will be attending The Occupational Therapy Show at the NEC in Birmingham on 26th-27th November 2025, and welcomes you to visit them at Stand: K59.
EDGE also has plans to attend the Scottish Manual Handling Forum in May 2026. Look out for EDGE trainers who will be in attendance across a vast range of events throughout the next year.
In closing, we asked Ruth how she felt receiving the award, “We are delighted to have been selected for this award and thrilled to be recognised for our expertise as it celebrates our knowledge and professionalism.”
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https://edgeservices.co.uk/newsletter
Contact
T 01904 677853
enquiries@edgeservices.co.uk
https://edgeservices.co.uk