SARH installs life-saving technology

Life-saving medical equipment is just minutes away for anyone who suffers a cardiac arrest whilst visiting a Stafford business estate thanks to the area’s leading provider of affordable homes, Stafford and Rural Homes (SARH).

The housing association has funded and installed an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) on the outside of it headquarters on Stafford Technology Park.

A defibrillator is a device that gives a high-energy electric shock to the heart through the chest wall to someone who is in cardiac arrest.

Providing an essential and potentially life-saving, stage in the treatment of anyone suffering a heart attack, defifbrillators are easy to operate with step-by-step instructions for members of the public to use in an emergency.

They’re becoming an increasingly common sight in public places across the country and have already saved many lives.

At a recent launch event, representatives of other businesses on the Technology Park were invited to the SARH offices in Parker Court to join the housing association’s employees for demonstrations on how to use the life-saving technology.

Karen Armitage, SARH Chief Executive explained: “The health and wellbeing of people living and working in the communities we serve is important to us, so hosting a defibrillator for use by anyone who is taken ill near to our offices made perfect sense.”

The demonstrations were carried out by Jamie Richards, Chief Executive of AEDdonate, the charity that supplied and fitted the defibrillator.

Following the launch he said: “It’s great to see Stafford and Rural Homes have an AED installed on their site.

“Not only have they just had an AED, they have made it accessible to the community 24 hours a day 365 days a year. We would urge other businesses in the area to contact us to see how we can help.”

Responsible for around 100,000 deaths in the UK every year, sudden cardiac arrest is one of the country’s biggest killers but quick and easy access to a defibrillator can significantly increase the chances of survival.

Further information about installing an AED can be found at www.aeddonate.org.uk.

Caption: Pictured at the launch of the community defibrillator are (from left to right): Jill Piggott SARH Customer Service Advisor; Jamie Richards, Chief Executive AEDdonate; SARH Plumber Lee Boston; Penny Johnson, Senior HR Business Partner; and Brenda Bradshaw SARH Homes Coordinator.

About Stafford and Rural Homes

Stafford and Rural Homes (SARH) is the largest social landlord in Stafford with around 6,000 homes across Stafford, Stone and the rural villages across the Borough. Established in 2006 to own and manage the former Stafford Borough Council housing stock, SARH set up a trading subsidiary company Housing Worx, to deliver planned maintenance works to its properties and fulfil commercial contracts in 2012. SARH also offers 18 Independent Living schemes for people aged over 55 and an award winning Telecare home safety and personal security system for the elderly and vulnerable. SARH has invested more than £100 million on improvement and regeneration programmes and building over 500 high quality new homes for rent and shared ownership which have benefited SARH customers by improving neighbourhoods and creating job opportunities for local people. The housing association works in partnership with local authorities, health trusts, statutory bodies and a range of voluntary organisations to create safe, sustainable communities where residents can ‘Live, Work and Grow’.

Follow SARH on Twitter @SARHomes

Media contact:
Martin Farrow
CHANGEWORKS Communications
t:  + 44 (0) 1785 247588
m: +44 (0)7771 970025
e: mfarrow@changeworkscom.co.uk

Stafford and Rural Homes contact:
Mara Hargreaves
Marketing Manager
t:01785 216793 (Direct)
m:07800 619 863 (Mobile)
e: mara.hargreaves@sarh.co.uk