South Western Ambulance Service - Volunteering and Community Services

27/03/2026

Huge thanks to Midnight GYM & Fitness 24hr for installing a Community Public Access Defibrillator for both the local community and its members.

Every defibrillator installed helps our aim to increase survival rates from out-of-hospital cardiac arrests.

Did you know the South Western Ambulance Service is now offering free defibrillator and CPR awareness sessions for communities?

You can register interest for hosting a community session here: https://www.swast.nhs.uk/cpr-and-defibrillator-training/

These sessions are free to attend. We simply ask if people can, to make a small donation towards the South Western Ambulance Charity who help fund enhanced equipment for our Community First Responders, alongside supporting our Community Training Volunteers, enabling us to delivering more sessions as part of our aim to increase community training and remove health inequalities across the South West.

Do you know CPR?. Get yourself registered on the GoodSAM app: https://www.goodsamapp.org/register

Want to learn CPR remotely?: https://www.bhf.org.uk/how-you-can-help/how-to-save-a-life/how-to-do-cpr/learn-cpr-in-15-minutes

09/03/2026

❤️Cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, anywhere - at home, at work, or in the community.
❤️In the UK, only around 1 in 10 people survive an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.
❤️When early CPR and a defibrillator are used within the first 3-5 minutes, survival rates can increase up to 70%.
❤️Yet still 38% of UK adults have never had CPR training.

Thanks to a grant from NHS Charities Together we've been working with South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust to recruit volunteer Community Training Volunteers who will deliver CPR awareness sessions in local communities across the South West.

📣The Community CPR and Defibrillator Training booking page is now LIVE. It includes essential information and a booking request form at https://www.swast.nhs.uk/cpr-and-defibrillator-training

16/02/2026

🚑 NEW: Free CPR & Defibrillator Training (South West) 🚑

If someone collapses in cardiac arrest, what happens in the first few minutes can be the difference between life and death. Our new webpage makes it easy to request a FREE community CPR & defibrillator familiarisation session for your group.

✅ Learn to recognise cardiac arrest
✅ Practise CPR (hands-on)
✅ Learn how to use a public access defibrillator
✅ Understand what happens when you call 999
⏱️ Typically 60–90 minutes • No medical knowledge needed

Sessions are delivered by Community Training Volunteers from South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, with support from South Western Ambulance Charity.

👉 Request a session here: https://www.swast.nhs.uk/cpr-and-defibrillator-training/

South Western Ambulance Charity South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust

01/02/2026

28/01/2026

After a conversation with one of our members George, today the gym has been gifted a defibrillator. This is very much appreciated, and shows how community based the gym is.

We hope this never needs to be used, but offers our members and local community peace of mind, that they will have access to a defibrillator.

14/11/2025

Huge congratulations to BASICS Devon!

On behalf of the Volunteering and Community Services Team, thank you for everything your wonderful volunteers do to support SWASFT and for the amazing service you provide to the communities of Devon and across the South West.

14/11/2025

Could you spare a few minutes a month to help keep a defib rescue ready, and keep your community safe? 💚💙

We’re looking for local Defib Guardians — friendly volunteers who can keep an eye on a nearby public defib to make sure it’s there when someone needs it most.

It’s a simple role, but it could help save a life.
No skills or big time commitment are needed, just a willingness to help out your local community.

We currently need Guardians in:
📍 BS4
📍 BS5
📍 BS10
📍 GL4

If you live nearby and want to do something small that makes a huge difference, learn more here:

https://greatwesternairambulance.com/defib-guardian/

01/11/2025

To protect your loved ones

31/10/2025

CPR might seem scary, but it is simple and your actions could save a life.

Don’t get spooked this Halloween 🎃 Learn CPR and make sure you feel confident to step up when every second counts: lifesaver.org.uk

30/10/2025

26/10/2025

🚑 Join Us as a Community Training Volunteer!

📍 About the Role

Are you passionate about making a real difference in your community? South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) is looking for Community Training Volunteers to help us empower members of the public by teaching them how to use CPR and public-access defibrillators.

As a volunteer, you will:

• Deliver 1.5-hour training sessions that combine a presentation and practical exercises.

• Raise awareness of the GoodSAM app and our Community First Responder schemes.

• Encourage donations to the SWASFT Charity to support our mission.

• Be supported by your local Community Engagement & Training Officer.

🎯 What We’re Looking For

• Reliable and committed (around 1.5 sessions per week, flexible timing)

• Good communication skills and able to engage a variety of groups

• Ability to travel to training sessions (own vehicle or Trust Community Response Vehicle)

• Emotionally intelligent, respectful and inclusive in approach

• A bit of previous Basic Life Support knowledge — but training will be given!

❤️ Why Volunteer With Us?

• Life-changing impact: You’ll help increase survival rates for out-of-hospital cardiac arrests by equipping people with lifesaving skills.

• Flexible & inclusive: We welcome volunteers from all backgrounds and provide a supportive environment.

• Be part of a team: Join the broader SWASFT volunteering community and make a visible difference locally.

✅ How to Apply

If you’re ready to step forward and help in your community, visit the job listing and apply online.

Closing date: 17 December 2025, 23:59.

https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9202-25-0347

For more info or an informal chat, contact Hannah Butler (Volunteering & Community Services) at [[email protected]] or 07973 963 530.

⸻

🔁 Feel free to share this post with friends, family or colleagues who might be interested in becoming a Community Training Volunteer