Charities, community centres and local organisations across Nottinghamshire are being encouraged to work with West Nottinghamshire College to bring free short CPR and defibrillator awareness courses to their members.
The training is a combination of practical demonstrations and theory.
The college’s adult and community learning team has delivered a series of successful sessions to community partners in Nottingham, Mansfield and Ashfield to deliver practical training that gives people the confidence to respond in a medical emergency.
The initiative has already reached groups including Forest Forces (part of Nottingham Forest Community Trust), Sherwood Observatory and a U3A group in Nottingham, with overwhelmingly positive feedback from participants.
Courtney Ashburner, learner engagement officer at the college, said: “Over the past few months we’ve seen just how valuable this training can be for community groups. People often tell us they would like practical skills that could make a real difference in everyday life, and CPR training is one of the most requested.
“By working directly with local organisations, we can make these sessions accessible to people in familiar settings where they feel comfortable learning. We would love to hear from more community centres and charities who would like to offer this to their members.”
One recent programme was delivered to a U3A group at Mapperley Plains Recreation and Social Club, where college trainer led four sessions for community members and U3A participants. Participants were taught how to recognise cardiac arrest, manage an emergency, perform CPR and operate an automated external defibrillator (AED).
Members of Forest Forces, part of Nottingham Forest Community Trust, learning life-saving skills.
At Sherwood Observatory, in Ashfield, two sessions were delivered for volunteers, with 21 people attending, all of whom play an active role in supporting the observatory.
The observatory’s secretary Michael Lowe said: “The training was nothing short of first class and the tutor was very professional and put our members through their paces.
“We have since installed a defibrillator on the external wall of the observatory with another one available at the main desk in the Science Centre.”
Learners praised the sessions for being informative, engaging and confidence-building. One attendee, Karen Green, said: “The tutor was incredibly knowledgeable and her previous work roles added credibility to the instruction and training. I’m a registered general nurse by trade and used to teach first aid at a college, but even so, I feel much better informed, up-to-date and confident now using a defibrillator if I had to.”
Each short course covers:
- Recognising cardiac arrest
- Treating an unresponsive casualty
- Understanding the defibrillator (AED)
- Managing an emergency
- Performing CPR
- The role of a first aider.
Members of the U3A group at Mapperley Plains Recreation and Social Club received the training well.
The college is now keen to expand the initiative and is inviting community centres, charities and voluntary organisations to enquire about hosting sessions for their own members.
Organisations interested in arranging a course can contact the adult and community learning team at:
The college hopes that by bringing life-saving skills into local communities, more people will feel prepared to act when every second counts.