Community Responders

 

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Community Responders and Volunteering in your Community

Your Questions Answered
 
Why do we need Community Responders?
 

  • 300,000 heart attacks happen each year

  • 160,000 people die of coronary heart disease before reaching the age of 65

  • Someone dies of coronary heart disease every 3 minutes

  • Single largest cause of early deaths in Great Britain and Ireland

  • Most will die before the ambulance arrives

  • Only 5% will survive

  • 85% have the potential to survive

  • Chances of survival reduces by 10% for every minute defibrillation is delayed
 
Who are Community Responders?
 

  • People from all walks of life – no previous experience is needed

  • They are trained to recognised national standards verified by the Ambulance service

  • They work as volunteers in teams which are self funded and managed

  • Teams work on a rota basis, activated by the Ambulance service control, working as agents of the trusts. They are covered by the Ambulance Service insurance

  • Teams work within their own communities, responding on foot, bike or car: no sirens, no blue lights
 
Recruitment rollout and training priorities
 
We have split the West Berkshire area into ‘responder districts’, each district being considered a separate Community Responder scheme. The rollout plan has taken into account ‘need’, and accordingly the most remote parts of West Berkshire will be targeted first. Essentially it will work West to East and then return to the major conurbations of Thatcham and Newbury.

A Community Responder scheme is a group of individuals, ideally 10 – 15 people (but can start with one) who live and / or work within an approximate 5 minute driving radius of each other. The members of the scheme take turns at being on call and hold the duty responder phone and kit.
 

Community Responders are NOT sent in place of the ambulance

They bridge the gap between the 999 call and the arrival of the paramedics

They are part of the co-ordinated approach to saving lives
 

If you want to find out more about becoming a Community Responder,

call Volunteer Centre West Berkshire 01635 49004

or email jacqui@nvb1.fsnet.co.uk
 

A partnership to save lives.

Royal Berkshire Ambulance Trust, Rotary Club of Newbury, Volunteer Centre West Berkshire and Greenham Common Trust

have come together to promote this new initiative.