Supporting our volunteer heroes

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Community First Responders (CFRs) operate within the communities in which they live or work, often providing early lifesaving emergency aid ahead of ambulance arrival. They are trained and governed by the South Western Ambulance Service. 

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CFR volunteers are called on any time, day or night, to help reach patients most in need across the 10,000 square miles of the South West.

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Attending over 20,000 incidents each year, their contribution really does save lives, reduce pain and provide reassurance to those requiring emergency care.

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Every donation, large or small, helps to provide enhanced equipment, cars, training and other costs. For example:   

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£35 buys a Tympanic Thermometer.  As part of the critical initial observations, this can provide an early warning sign for underlying medical conditions such as sepsis or meningitis.

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£50 buys an automatic blood pressure monitor and cuffs. As part of the critical initial observations, this is more resilient and robust compared to manual monitoring.  

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£350 buys a pulse oximeter.  Used for critical initial observations to measure oxygen levels in the blood and pulse. Monitoring is continuous to ensure any changes in pulse or oxygen levels are highlighted immediately for action.

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£3500 buys a Raizer Lifting Chair. Used to enable trained CFRs to help people who have had a fall, do not have any injuries of concern, and are unable to get themselves back up off the floor. Around 1 in 3 adults over 65, and 1 in 2 adults over 80, will have at least one fall a year (NHS figs.). Most falls do not result in serious injury but laying for long periods can lead to health complications and frequent falls can reduce confidence and lead to a person feeling less independent and becoming more withdrawn. 

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Find out more about volunteering at Welcome to SWASFT - What we do (swast.nhs.uk)