WHEN James Goulding was looking for premises for his training company he scoured Rossendale, but found the ideal place on his doorstep.

Since June, Binary Plus has been based in Rossendale Council’s office accommodation at Futures Park, Bacup, and, even though courses have been on hold because of the Covid-19 pandemic, James has been able to set up his office and a separate training room and is ready to go.

The former Royal Navy submariner left the forces after a seizure, but knew he wanted to go into the medical profession.

He worked as an NHS support worker at medium-secure Calderstones Hospital for five years until he was seriously assaulted.

James, 37, from Bacup, said: “That really knocked my confidence so after a year working at Tesco, my daughter Evie was starting school and I decided to go to UCLan and do a degree.

“I picked drama, contemporary theatre and performance because it was something I enjoyed. I then did my PGCE [teaching qualification] at Edge Hill University and spent a couple of years as a supply teacher.”

At the same time he set up Binary Plus so he could combine his passion for first aid with teaching. Eighteen months ago, thanks to the support of his partner, James decided to turn it into a full-time job.

He said: “We began looking for premises in November but I needed somewhere accessible, easy to find, with a large car park and ideally with a reception, so when people attend for courses they can get access to the building.

“Bacup was ideal, especially as all the motorways in the area surround it. Futures Park had everything I was looking for and the council has been really good with me.”

 

 

James landed a large contract to supply training for a private ambulance firm in Cheshire so moving into the offices was delayed; then the pandemic delayed the move further.

He used the time to develop a YouTube channel to put basic training videos online and, once in the building, set up the office and training room.

James said: “When things get back to normal, I will be able to have 12 people in the training room for a first aid course and I have just been accredited to deliver suicide first aid for up to 20 people.

“Binary Plus is also one of the first training companies in the country to be able to offer SuperMedics, a specially-designed first aid course for primary school age children.

“Binary Plus is also one of the first training companies in the country to be able to offer SuperMedics, a specially-designed first aid course for primary school age children.

“I would love for every company in Rossendale to have a training certificate on their wall from Binary Plus.

“I want everyone who we train to leave knowing that they are a trained first aider, not that they are someone who has got a first aid certificate.

“I am excited about the future plans for Bacup and the development of a hotel, especially as we have a training course booked in for people from Cambridge and they will be seeking accommodation locally.”

For more information email james@binaryplus.co.uk or call 01706 489084