Making Life-Saving Skills Accessible at Jarrow Hall

Community CPR & Defibrillator Workshop | Groundwork | Jarrow Hall, South Tyneside

Everyone Deserves the Opportunity to Save a Life

Life-saving skills should never be limited by someone’s background, ability or previous experience.

At First Aid Saves Lives CIC, we believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to learn how to recognise an emergency, perform CPR and use a public access defibrillator.

That’s why we were delighted to work alongside Groundwork to deliver an inclusive Community CPR and Defibrillator Workshop at Jarrow Hall for adults with autism and disabilities.

The workshop was designed to be practical, welcoming and accessible, ensuring every participant felt comfortable learning at their own pace while developing the confidence to respond if someone ever needed their help.

By removing barriers to learning, we are helping create stronger, safer and more inclusive communities.

📋 Workshop at a Glance

Working Together to Support Inclusive Communities

Groundwork has a long history of supporting local communities, helping people improve their wellbeing, confidence and opportunities through a wide range of projects and activities.

We were proud to work in partnership with Groundwork to deliver a workshop that reflected those same values.

By bringing practical first aid education into a familiar and supportive environment, participants were able to learn new skills without pressure or expectation.

The result was a relaxed, enjoyable session where everyone was encouraged to take part and build confidence at their own pace.

Learning Through Practical Experience

First aid isn’t something that should only be talked about.

It should be practised.

Throughout the workshop, participants learned how to recognise when someone may be suffering a cardiac arrest before putting those skills into practice using professional CPR manikins and training defibrillators.

The workshop covered:

✅ Recognising a cardiac arrest

✅ Calling 999

✅ Adult CPR

✅ Hands-only CPR

✅ Using a Public Access Defibrillator (AED)

✅ Working together during an emergency

Every demonstration was followed by practical activities, giving learners the opportunity to develop confidence through hands-on experience.

Creating a Relaxed and Supportive Learning Environment

No two learners are the same.

Some people like to watch first.

Others prefer to ask questions.

Some gain confidence by repeating a skill several times.

Throughout the workshop, Adam and Helen adapted their teaching style to suit the needs of the group, ensuring everyone felt included and supported.

There was no pressure.

No rushing.

No expectation to get everything perfect the first time.

Instead, learners were encouraged to participate in whatever way felt comfortable for them.

This approach helps create genuine confidence, rather than simply teaching people what to do.

Breaking Down the Fear of Defibrillators

Many participants had seen public defibrillators before but had never considered using one.

Like many people, they believed the equipment looked complicated.

One of the highlights of the workshop was showing just how straightforward an AED actually is.

Participants learned that:

• The machine gives clear spoken instructions.
• It guides you through every step.
• It automatically checks the casualty’s heart rhythm.
• It will only deliver a shock if one is required.
• Anyone can use a public access defibrillator.

Watching confidence grow as participants used the training AEDs was one of the most rewarding moments of the day.

Confidence Is the Most Important Skill

The biggest achievement wasn’t simply learning CPR.

It was developing the confidence to help.

Many learners arrived feeling unsure whether they could cope in an emergency.

By the end of the workshop, that uncertainty had been replaced with confidence, encouragement and a belief that they could make a difference.

That’s exactly why community first aid education matters.

Because confidence can save lives.

Why Inclusive First Aid Education Matters

Medical emergencies don’t discriminate.

Anyone can witness someone becoming seriously ill or suffering a cardiac arrest.

By making first aid training more inclusive, we’re ensuring more people have the opportunity to learn life-saving skills and feel empowered to use them.

Inclusive education benefits everyone.

It creates stronger communities, removes barriers and helps people realise that they are capable of making a real difference during an emergency.

Thank You To Groundwork

A huge thank you to everyone at Groundwork for inviting us to deliver this workshop and to Jarrow Hall for providing such an excellent venue.

Most importantly, we’d like to thank every participant for embracing the practical activities with enthusiasm, curiosity and determination.

It was a privilege to spend time learning alongside you.

Could Your Organisation Benefit from an Inclusive First Aid Workshop?

We regularly deliver community workshops for:

• Charities
• Disability Support Groups
• Autism Organisations
• Community Centres
• Community Interest Companies (CICs)
• Support Services
• Schools
• Voluntary Organisations

Every workshop is tailored to the needs of the learners, ensuring everyone has the opportunity to participate, ask questions and build confidence in a supportive environment.

We’re proud of the feedback we receive from organisations across the North East. You can read our latest Google reviews here:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/tmptK39m8RE3eX2a9

If you’d like to discuss bringing an inclusive CPR and Defibrillator Workshop to your organisation, contact us through our website or call 0191 716 6601. We’d love to help.

❤️ Community Impact

📍 Location: Jarrow Hall, South Tyneside

👥 Audience: Adults with Autism and Disabilities

🤝 Partner Organisation: Groundwork

❤️ Workshop Focus: Community CPR & Defibrillator Awareness

🎯 Workshop Outcome: Participants developed the confidence to recognise a cardiac arrest, call 999, perform CPR and understand how to use a public access defibrillator in a supportive and inclusive environment.

🌱 Long-Term Impact: By making first aid education accessible to adults with autism and disabilities, we’re helping remove barriers to learning while creating communities where more people feel confident stepping forward to help during an emergency.

💙 Our Mission: Delivering inclusive, engaging and practical life-saving education that empowers every member of the community to make a difference.

⭐ Interested in bringing an inclusive first aid workshop to your organisation?

Whether you’re a charity, disability support organisation, community group, school or local employer, we’d love to help. Contact us through our website or call 0191 716 6601 to discuss how we can tailor a workshop for your organisation.

About First Aid Saves Lives CIC

First Aid Saves Lives CIC is a Community Interest Company dedicated to improving access to life-saving education throughout the North East.

Working alongside charities, schools, community groups, disability organisations and employers, we deliver engaging, practical and inclusive first aid workshops that empower people with the confidence to respond in an emergency.

Every workshop is designed to remove barriers to learning, encourage participation and ensure every learner feels valued, supported and capable of making a difference.

We’re proud of the impact our workshops have across the communities we serve. If you’ve attended one of our sessions, we’d love to hear your feedback. You can read what others have said or leave us a Google review here:

First Aid Saves Lives CIC

If your organisation would like to deliver life-saving education to your staff, volunteers or community members, contact us through our website or call 0191 716 6601. We’d be delighted to discuss how we can support you.

Because everyone deserves the opportunity to learn skills that could one day save a life.