Oliver Cookson Foundation supports pioneering project

The average distance to the nearest defibrillator has more than halved in one area of

Manchester thanks to a groundbreaking new project. Oliver Cookson Foundation (OCF) has worked in partnership with British Heart Foundation (BHF), Resuscitation Council UK and St John Ambulance to set up the Heartsafe Communities scheme to increase access to first aid training and defibrillators in Wythenshawe.

With an older population, and higher levels of deprivation, Wythenshawe was selected by the BHF as a research pilot area to create new guidance to tackle low survival rates of cardiac arrest.

The British Heart Foundation (BHF) estimated in May 2023 that the average return distance to the nearest defibrillator was 1,850m – a 14-minute round trip. Following the year-long project, the average distance to the nearest defibrillator in Wythenshawe is now 858m – a round trip of just six-and-a-half minutes.

OCF founder Oliver Cookson said, “Halving the time it takes for a return journey in Wythenshawe is a phenomenal outcome for the Heartsafe Community project. This will undoubtedly save lives, which aligns perfectly with the mission of Cookson First Aid. I am proud to support this vital work through my foundation, and my team and I remain dedicated to helping communities across the UK, using the effective strategies we’ve developed together.”

Survival rates of cardiac arrest are currently 1 in 10 in England, and with over 30,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCA) each year – additional access to training and defibrillators will save lives.

The Heartsafe Community guidance has also been published to give communities information on what to consider when placing defibrillators in their local area. It also outlines how to access free training resources.

The guidance recommends:

Make it easier for local people to learn CPR. Cookson First Aid provides free first aid training across the northwest.
Make the most of defibrillators already in the community by making them available 24/7 in unlocked cabinets. Cardiac arrests happen mostly at evenings and weekends, outside the usual opening hours for a lot of organisations who have defibrillators on their premises.
Those with funding for new defibrillators should consider putting them near to where people live, as cardiac arrests mostly happen at home.
Owners should register their defibrillator on The Circuit (a national register of defibrillators) to help the ambulance service locate it quickly in an emergency.

The Oliver Cookson Foundation delivers monthly CPR training sessions in Wythenshawe in partnership with Wythenshawe Forum. This gives residents access to training to save a life, as well as equipping them with knowledge of where to access the additional defibrillators now installed in their community.

Through Cookson First Aid, OCF has funded training for over 400 people in Wythenshawe in the last year. It will continue to offer training through local community organisations.

A new defibrillator was also donated by OCF to Tree of Life Centre, who will act as guardians for this life saving equipment and host training for local residents, again delivered for free by Cookson First Aid.

Josh Britton, Wellbeing and Progression Coordinator at Tree of Life Centre said, “I think it’s a great idea not just for people in the centre, but the whole community. We understand the importance of having it outside and accessible 24/7. If it could help even one person, then it’s worth it.” He adds that becoming a defibrillator guardian is simple and something the centre was happy to do. “We are very happy to look after it, it’s not complicated.”

Emily Harrison, CEO of the Oliver Cookson Foundation said “Providing access to free first aid training in communities is essential for people to know how to save a life. Cookson First Aid reached out to local schools, businesses and community organisations who all responded to the challenge to make Wythenshawe a Heartsafe Community. Each of them helped to make this project a success. We are proud to have been a part of this research, and of everyone in Wythenshawe who has learned to be a life saver. Oliver Cookson Foundation is committed to funding free first aid training to support the roll out of the Heartsafe Community guidance across the UK.”

The full Heartsafe Communities report can be found online:

https://cooksonfirstaid.org/heartsafe-communities/

For more information, visit: www.cooksonfirstaid.org or follow on social media @cooksonfirstaid