Have Your Say: Uckfield & Area Community Defibrillator Consultation

Help shape the future of public access defibrillators across the Uckfield area as we launch our new five-year community defib project. Event overview Uckfield & Area Community First Responders are developing an ambitious five-year Community Defibrillator Project aimed at improving access to lifesaving defibrillators across Uckfield and the surrounding area. As part of this work, we want local people to help shape what happens next. This public consultation event will give residents, businesses, community groups, residents’ associations and local organisations the opportunity to hear more about the project, understand why it is needed and share their views on how we can build a stronger and more accessible network of public access defibrillators. Rather than simply placing defibrillators where they appear to be needed, we want the project to be evidence-led and community-informed. We will be looking at factors including: • Existing defibrillator coverage • Areas with limited or restricted access • Residential communities • 24/7 accessibility • Local population needs • Walking and retrieval distance • Community facilities and high-footfall locations • Rural and harder-to-reach communities • Local knowledge and community feedback During the event we will explain our proposed approach and ask for your views. We particularly want to hear from • Local residents • Residents’ associations • Community groups • Parish and town organisations • Local businesses • Sports clubs • Schools and community venues • Faith groups • Charities and voluntary organisations • Potential AED host locations What will happen at the event? There will be a short presentation from Uckfield & Area Community First Responders explaining: • What the five-year project aims to achieve • Why public access defibrillators are important • How we plan to identify priority locations • How proposed AED locations will be assessed • How local communities can get involved • How the project will be funded and sustained There will then be an opportunity for questions, discussion and feedback. We want your local knowledge You know your community better than anyone. We would particularly like to hear: • Where do you think access to a defibrillator could be improved? • Are there residential areas that currently feel underserved? • Are there community buildings or organisations that could host an AED? • What barriers might prevent people from accessing or using one? • What would make you feel more confident using a defibrillator? Your feedback will form part of the evidence used to help identify priorities for the project. Community groups — we want to work with you A major part of this project will be working directly with local communities. We are particularly interested in speaking with community groups, residents’ associations and other local organisations who may want to support an AED within their area. This could include helping us identify suitable locations, engaging local residents or supporting fundraising. Fundraising and community support Delivering a five-year defibrillator programme will require significant community support. We would love to hear from individuals, businesses and groups who may be interested in: • Fundraising for new AEDs • Sponsoring an AED or cabinet • Hosting a fundraising event on our behalf • Raising funds specifically for an AED within their neighbourhood or community • Supporting wider project fundraising If your group would like to work towards securing an AED for your area, come and speak to us. Become a Defib Guardian We will also need local Defib Guardians. Defib Guardians will help us make sure community defibrillators remain: • Accessible • Clearly visible • Regularly checked • Rescue-ready • Properly reported and maintained This is a simple but incredibly important volunteering role that allows local people to help look after lifesaving equipment within their own community. Do I need to know anything about defibrillators? No. You do not need any medical knowledge and you do not need to be involved with the charity already. This event is for anyone who lives, works or has an interest in Uckfield and the surrounding communities. Whether you know a lot about defibrillators or absolutely nothing at all, we want to hear from you. Why register? The event is free to attend, but we ask attendees to register through Eventbrite so that we can understand expected numbers and plan the event appropriately. Please register for one ticket per person attending. If your organisation would like several representatives to attend, you are very welcome to do so. Help us spread the word This project is being built for the community, so we want as many local voices involved as possible. Please share the event with neighbours, local groups, businesses, clubs and organisations. Together we can build a stronger, more accessible and sustainable community defibrillator network for Uckfield and the surrounding area. Local people. Saving lives. Stronger together.