South Western Ambulance Charity celebrates 30 years of making a difference
The South Western Ambulance Charity is proud to be celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, marking three decades of vital support for the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT), its staff, volunteers, and the communities it serves.
Since its establishment in 1995, the charity has worked alongside the Ambulance Service and communities in the South West, helping to enhance care and support for patients in critical moments.
Over the last 30 years, the South Western Ambulance Charity has:
Supported staff wellbeing - funding social support grants to enhance health and wellbeing. In the past year alone, the charity has also funded outdoor space improvements at more than 50 ambulance stations to support staff welfare.
Helped save lives in cardiac emergencies - funding the pilot of the GoodSAM Responder app before its full adoption by SWASFT. GoodSAM connects those who are trained, to deliver CPR with nearby cardiac arrests, further enhancing the community's ability to support swiftly and effectively in emergencies.
Increased access to defibrillators - launching targeted programmes to place defibrillators where they are needed most, reducing health inequalities. With the charity's support, SWASFT has also helped more than 700 schools across the South West correctly install and register defibrillators, with 90% of schools now connected to The Circuit - the national defibrillator network that provides ambulance services with real-time information about available defibrillators across the UK.
Equipped volunteers - fundraising for 11 Community Response Vehicles used by SWASFT's volunteer Community First Responders to reach and support patients in local communities. These vehicles allow volunteers to arrive quickly and deliver vital care before an ambulance arrives.
These initiatives, amongst many others, have transformed care, strengthened resilience, and empowered communities across the South West, particularly in supporting schemes and projects to improve survival rates from life-threatening emergencies such as out-of-hospital cardiac arrests.
Zoe Larter, Head of the South Western Ambulance Charity said; Reaching our 30th anniversary is a truly special moment for us. Since our beginnings, the charity has worked alongside the South Western Ambulance Service to make a real difference to people's lives - from funding innovative projects and supporting our dedicated staff, to equipping volunteers and helping communities become more resilient in emergencies.
None of this would have been possible without the generosity of our supporters, fundraisers, and partners over the years. We are excited to celebrate this milestone, to thank everyone who has been part of our journey, and to look ahead to building on this legacy so we can achieve even more in the next 30 years.
John Martin, Chief Executive of SWASFT, added: On behalf of everyone at SWASFT, I want to congratulate the South Western Ambulance Charity on their 30th anniversary. For three decades they have been an incredible source of support, enabling us to go further in caring for our people, volunteers, patients, and communities. We are hugely grateful for their commitment and generosity. Happy birthday and thank you for everything you do.
To find out more about how you can support the South Western Ambulance Charity - through fundraising, volunteering, or donating - please visit www.swambulancecharity.org