Three schools. 20 sessions. 550 lifesavers in the making for Restart A Heart Week
South Northants Community Responders empower 550 students and staff with lifesaving CPR skills for Restart a Heart October 2026.
South Northants Community Responders (SNCR) have helped equip 550 students and staff with potentially lifesaving skills after delivering 20 CPR and resuscitation awareness sessions across three local education settings as part of Restart a Heart October 2026.
Restart a Heart is an annual initiative led by Resuscitation Council UK, aiming to improve survival from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest by encouraging more people to learn CPR and become ResusReady.
Despite ongoing efforts to improve awareness and training, survival rates following out-of-hospital cardiac arrest remain stubbornly low in the UK, with fewer than one in 10 people surviving. Knowing how to recognise a cardiac arrest, call 999 and begin CPR can make a vital difference while waiting for emergency services to arrive.
Reaching schools and empowering communities
Every year, SNCR supports Restart a Heart by reaching out to local schools and offering opportunities for students and staff to learn essential lifesaving skills.
This October, the team delivered 20 sessions across three education settings, reaching:
Kingsthorpe College: 270 students and staff
Wootton Primary: 161 students and staff
Kislingbury CE Primary: 119 students and staff
In total, 550 students and staff took part, gaining knowledge and confidence that could help them respond when someone experiences a cardiac arrest.
Volunteers making a difference
South Northants Community Responders are a dedicated team of local volunteers who support East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) by responding to 999 calls and providing immediate care to patients until an ambulance crew arrives.
The volunteers do not replace the ambulance service. They work alongside it, providing early assessment and lifesaving treatment when every second counts.
David Smith, Scheme Coordinator for SNCR, said:
“The work of the team this week has been incredible. Thank you to Steve Gibson, who organised the sessions, and to all my fellow volunteers who gave their time and supported this fantastic effort.
“Reaching 550 students and staff is a fantastic achievement. We hope the skills and confidence they have gained will stay with them for life. You never know when you might be the person who can make a difference and help save a life.”
Helping communities become RescueReady
SNCR’s work extends beyond CPR education. The charity also supports local schools, parish councils and communities with advice and assistance in purchasing public access defibrillators and suitable cabinets, helping make lifesaving equipment available when it is needed most.
A defibrillator, alongside early CPR, can play a crucial role in improving the chances of survival following a cardiac arrest.
Would your school or community like to learn more about lifesaving skills or installing a defibrillator?
Contact South Northants Community Responders at [email protected] to find out how the team may be able to help.
Together, we can help make our communities healthier, because every second and every helping hand matters.