Ilkley Moor Vaults are Prepared To Save Lives

About Saving Lives

The Ilkley Moor Vaults (Or the Taps as we’re nicknamed locally) is a friendly, traditional family pub at the heart of the local community. We serve delicious homemade pub food, beers & cask ales, as well as a wide selection of gins. Our strong community links include Outside the Box, U3A and Ilkley Carnival.

The Challenge

Ilkley Moor Vaults, affectionately known as The Taps by locals, is a bustling, family-friendly pub at the heart of the community. Like many hospitality venues, the team faces a fast-paced and often unpredictable working environment. From busy food service hours to managing crowds during community events, staff regularly juggle a wide range of responsibilities—all while ensuring the safety and wellbeing of both customers and colleagues.

While there is no legal requirement for all staff to be trained in first aid, the team recognised that having these life-saving skills could be critical in emergency situations—whether that’s responding to an accident in the kitchen, a fall in the beer garden, or a customer experiencing a medical emergency.

At the time, some team members had previous first aid training, while others had none at all. The inconsistency created a potential gap in readiness and response. With the pub catering to a diverse clientele—including families, older adults, and local community groups—the management team felt a strong responsibility to ensure every member of staff was confident and capable in a crisis.

Recognising the various risks associated with pub operations—especially in high-risk areas such as the bar, kitchen, and cellar—they were keen to find an accessible, effective training solution that would upskill the entire team without disrupting day-to-day business.

The Solution

Joining the Prepared to Save a Life initiative by Virtual College offered the perfect opportunity to provide staff with essential life-saving knowledge. The free, online course was quick to complete, easy to access, and designed to fit around busy work schedules. In fact, some team members were so motivated they completed it at home in their own time.

For managers, the platform’s tracking tools made it simple to monitor staff progress, ensuring everyone stayed on course. The training itself served as both a valuable refresher for those with prior experience and a solid introduction for those new to first aid.

The Results

Every member of staff completed the training within a few weeks. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive—staff found the course engaging, informative, and highly relevant to their roles. It helped build confidence across the team and sparked broader conversations about emergency readiness and safety culture within the workplace.

The training didn’t just equip staff with practical skills—it fostered a stronger sense of collective responsibility and reinforced Ilkley Moor Vaults’ commitment to providing a safe environment for all who walk through its doors.