EEAST to stage CPR training events for Restart a Heart Day campaign

The East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) is proud to announce a series of public CPR training events throughout October in support of Restart a Heart Day, a national campaign led by the Resuscitation Council UK.

Held annually on 16 October, Restart a Heart Day aims to raise awareness of cardiac arrest and empower communities with the skills to save lives.

Survival rates from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest remain stubbornly low in the UK, with fewer than one in ten people surviving.

Throughout the month, EEAST teams will deliver hands-on CPR sessions at locations across the region.

The goal is simple but powerful: to equip as many people as possible with the confidence and knowledge to act quickly in a cardiac arrest emergency.

Adam Williamson, a Resuscitation Officer at EEAST, said:

“Through the Restart a Heart campaign, we’re working to significantly improve survival rates from out-of-hospital cardiac arrests.

“We’ve identified hotspot areas where cardiac arrest rates are high but bystander CPR rates are low – and that’s a gap we urgently need to close.

“Learning CPR can be life changing. It could mean the difference between life and death for a loved one or even a stranger.

“Cardiac arrests often happen at home or in familiar places, which means the person needing help is likely someone you know. That’s why it’s so important for everyone to feel confident in performing CPR.”

Confirmed CPR training events by sector

Bedfordshire and Luton

• Thursday 16 October, 10am–4pm – The Luton Point, LU1 2LJ
• Thursday16 October, 9am–5pm – Harpur Centre, Bedford MK40 1TJ

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough (Led by Cambridge University Hospitals)

• Thursday 16 October, 11am–2pm – Grand Arcade, CB2 3BJ
• Thursday 16 October, 11am–2pm – Cambridge Guildhall, CB2 3QJ
• Thursday 16 October, 11am–2pm – Lion Yard, CB2 3ET

Norfolk and Waveney

• Thursday 16 October, 9am–5pm – Castle Quarter, Norwich NR1 3DD

Suffolk and North East Essex

• Sunday 12 October, 9.30am–12pm – Nayland Village Hall, CO6 4JH (Book via Eventbrite) - Wednesday 15 October, 6–8pm – Nayland Village Hall, CO6 4JH (Book via Eventbrite) CANCELLED
• Thursday 16 October, 9.30am–5pm – Tesco Extra, Newmarket CB8 7AH

Mid and South Essex

• Tuesday 7 October, 6.30–9.30pm – St Paul's Church Centre, Brentwood CM14 5RZ
• Thursday 16 October, 10am – 2pm – Victoria Shopping Centre, Southend-on-Sea, SS2 5SP
• Thursday 16 October – 9.30am – 4.00pm – High Chelmer Shopping Centre, Chelmsford, CM1 1XB
• Thursday 16 October - 10am - 2pm - George Yard Shopping Centre, Braintree CM7 1RB
• Saturday 18 October, 10am–1pm – Ingatestone Fire Station, CM4 0AH
• Saturday, 18 October, 1.30pm-4pm – St Nicholas Church, Canvey Island, SS8 0JR, (Book via Eventbrite)

Hertfordshire and West Essex

• Saturday 11 October, 9.30am–5.30pm – Harlequin Shopping Centre, Watford WD17 2UB
• Thursday 16 October, 7–9pm – Harpenden Town Council Offices, AL5 2LX (Fully booked)
• Thursday 16 October, 9am-8pm – Howardsgate, Welwyn Garden City, AL8
• Saturday 25 October, 9.30am–5.30pm – Marlowes Shopping Centre, Hemel Hempstead HP1 1DX

Knife Angel Partnership – Welwyn Garden City

In partnership with Hertfordshire Constabulary and Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council, EEAST will run free first aid, bleeding control, and CPR drop-in sessions to mark the visit of the Knife Angel, a national anti-violence monument.

You can book onto these events on Eventbrite for the below dates. All events are from 9.30am - 5.30pm, at The Howard Centre, Welwyn Garden City AL8 6HA. All sessions run from 9.30am–5.30pm Dates:

• Friday 3 October
• Saturday 4 October
• Friday 10 October
• Saturday 11 October
• Sunday 12 October
• Sunday 26 October
• Monday 27 October
• Tuesday 28 October
• Wednesday 29 October

On Restart a Heart Day (Thursday 16 October), EEAST will also join Hertfordshire Constabulary and other partners for a CPR awareness and training event at Howardsgate, Welwyn Garden City, from 9am–8pm.