Revival in Workplace Training by Heartstart Malvern

Heartstart Malvern is inviting more businesses and workplaces in the Malvern Hills area to take up the opportunity of free training in resuscitation skills and defibrillator use.

The call to action follows on from a feature on BBC Hereford and Worcester where a recently installed Public Access Defibrillator had been successfully used to save the life of a teenager, prompting Heartstart Malvern to respond with details about the local charity and the courses it runs. Since the charity’s launch in January 2017 Heartstart Malvern’s volunteer trainers have trained over 1800 local residents.

Impressed by the charity’s focus and enthusiasm, BBC Hereford and Worcester breakfast presenters Toni McDonald and Elliott responded quickly with an interview on programme and a request to receive training themselves. Without delay they booked onto the course being run for the staff of Malvern-based business Melton Support Services.

Chairman of Heartstart Malvern, Richard Vakis-Lowe, said: “Heartstart Malvern runs regular free public open courses that individuals may book on to and awareness of these is growing well. We are particularly keen now to take our training into more businesses and workplaces and we would like to hear from businesses, trade associations or business networking groups who may be interested to take up our offer. All we need is 90 minutes of their time and a venue to host the training. We are thrilled that BBC Hereford and Worcester have responded so positively to our mission and are delighted to support their staff”.

Sarah Grout, Trustee for the charity said: “Our team of volunteers work extraordinarily hard to provide the training, raise awareness and to fundraise for this vital service which includes not just the training but also aims to fund 50 defibrillators in the locality. A further opportunity for anyone to find out more about Heartstart Malvern will take place on Tuesday 16^thOctober on International ‘Restart A Heart Day’ to be held at the Mount Pleasant Hotel, Malvern. We are hosting a business networking breakfast followed by a day of training and information about the charity. Please keep posted via our website www.heartstartmalvern.org.ukor support us via our social media sites.”