Ambulance service to host Restart a Heart Day event in Swindon
The South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) is inviting members of the public to a free community event to learn lifesaving CPR, as part of Restart a Heart Day in Swindon.
The event will take place at, Brunel Centre Shopping Centre, 29a Canal Walk, Swindon SN1 1LF, on Saturday 19 October between 10am – 3pm.
This national day aims to raise awareness about cardiac arrest and helps people to learn CPR, giving them lifesaving skills and the confidence to use them.
Members of team SWASFT, including paramedics, emergency care assistants, volunteer community first responders and representatives of the Volunteering & Community Services Department, will be on hand to answer any questions and share their extensive knowledge.
There will be in-depth CPR demonstrations for members of the public to join and take part in. Certificates will be given to everyone who completes the 15-minute CPR sessions. However, any time spent learning about CPR and defibrillation with the team will help towards increasing survival rates for out of hospital cardiac arrest in the Southwest.
Dave Wilmot, Volunteering and Community Services Officer at SWASFT, who looks after Wiltshire said: “We are excited to be holding a Restart a Heart event in Swindon again, this is a fantastic opportunity for the people of Swindon to come and learn vital lifesaving skills like CPR.
“We want people in our communities to know what to do if someone suffers a cardiac arrest, and to know how to perform CPR correctly. The sooner CPR is started the greater chance someone has of survival. By providing opportunities like these, especially on and around international Restart a Heart Day, we hope to educate and spread awareness of the importance of CPR.
“People of all ages and abilities are welcome and will be encouraged to take part in all the fun, interactive activities on offer. With a big thanks to Brunel Centre Shopping Centre for hosting this event.”
If you’re unable to attend this event, you can visit https://www.swast.nhs.uk/saving-lives-together to learn how to deliver CPR and where your nearest defibrillator is.