Supported housing schemes equipped to save local lives
- 21 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Life-saving defibrillators are being installed on all 38 of Karbon Homes’ over 55s housing schemes across the North East, as the housing association partners with Red Sky Foundation to help save lives in local communities.
With £34,000 of funding through Karbon’s Unlocking Social Value Fund, matched funded with £28,000 from Red Sky Foundation, the project will help ensure local communities across the region, from Middlesbrough to Northumberland, have access to external defibrillators which will all be publicly accessible.
Jon McDonald, Head of Supported Housing at Karbon Homes, said: “It’s brilliant to partner with the Red Sky Foundation to increase such vital support to so many people in the North East. All of our over 55s housing schemes and their surrounding communities can be reassured that a defibrillator is now on their doorstop, thanks to Days Fleet’s social value contribution.
“The roll-out of defibrillators at our extra-care and independent living schemes follow requests from our customers for this life-saving facility. As part of this important project, we are upskilling our on-site and community colleagues on how to use each device and raising awareness locally, so more people know where their closest defibrillator is.”
Karbon will become guardians of any defibrillators already installed across its supported housing schemes, taking responsibility for the upkeep and management of each device.
Malcolm Charlaw, a resident at Oakwood Court, said: “I expressed at the Customer Forum Meeting a few months ago that I thought it was a no-brainer, to have equipment on site which increases the chances of someone surviving a heart attack. I love the fact that you don't have to be medically trained to use it and help someone.
“It's brilliant that Karbon have considered the maintenance of the defibrillator as part of the funding too. Also, that it's available to others on the surrounding estate, not just Oakwood Court, is only a good thing. Hopefully it's never needed but just have it there in case for everyone.”
Red Sky Foundation supports babies, children and adults living with complex heart conditions. Established in 2020 by Sunderland couple Sergio and Emma Petrucci MBE, the registered charity raises funds and awareness to help save lives of the public affected by heart disease, organ donation and cardiac arrest.
Founder and CEO of Red Sky Foundation, Sergio Petrucci, said: “We are incredibly grateful to Karbon Homes for their generous contribution to these life-saving defibrillators. Partnerships like this highlight the vital role corporate organisations play in supporting charities and making a real difference within communities. Having accessible equipment like this can be the difference between life and death in an emergency.
“It’s inspiring to see organisations like Karbon Homes taking proactive steps to protect the health and wellbeing of their communities. Together, through strong corporate partnerships, we are helping to create safer spaces and ultimately save lives.”
Research shows that most people who survive a cardiac arrest will require a shock from a defibrillator.
The location of each defibrillator will be registered on a national network, The Circuit, which links to the ambulance service control centres. This will enable ambulance call-handlers to direct people to their nearest defibrillator and assist Karbon’s management of the devices should they be used in an emergency.
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