Herts - Lifesaving Training Rolled Out Across Traveller Sites
More than 130 residents from Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities across Hertfordshire have benefited from a series of drop-in sessions delivering health advice, lifesaving CPR training and community support.
As part of a joint commitment to improving community safety, Hearts for Herts Charity obtained Public Health funding to provide a public access defibrillator and bleed control kit for every Hertfordshire owned or commissioned Traveller site across Hertfordshire. Hearts for Herts Charity has also committed to maintaining the equipment throughout its lifecycle, ensuring the units remain ready for use in an emergency.
The project included visits to 10 sites and engaged with over 130 residents, providing CPR training, choking intervention guidance, bleed management awareness, blood pressure checks and fire safety advice. More than 30 blood pressure checks were completed, seven smoke alarms were installed, and many more checked.
Justin Honey‑Jones, Chair and Paramedic at Hearts for Herts Charity, said they were proud to lead the initiative with partners and committed to improving health and wellbeing for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities across Hertfordshire, adding that every heart matters.
“These drop‑in sessions are about connection, trust and ensuring that people know where to turn for support and know vital lifesaving skills,” said Honey-Jones.
Families, particularly mothers and children, showed strong interest in learning lifesaving skills, with many children enjoying hands-on CPR practice and mothers requesting further baby CPR sessions. Two residents have also expressed an interest in becoming CPR trainers, creating an opportunity to build lifesaving skills within their own communities.
Sarah Perman, Director of Public Health, said the sessions had opened up valuable opportunities for conversation, learning and support, helping residents gain lifesaving skills and access health information. She welcomed the growing interest from community members who want to become trainers, describing it as a legacy of resilience for future generations.
“Improving health outcomes starts with understanding the needs of local communities,” added Perman.
The sessions were delivered through multi agency partnership working between Hearts for Herts Charity, Hertfordshire County Council Public Health, Hertfordshire County Council Adult Care Services, Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, Hertfordshire Constabulary and CGL (Change, Grow, Live). Feedback highlighted the value of visiting sites directly, helping to build trust, strengthen relationships and improve access to support and health information.
Alex Woodman, Executive Director & Chief Fire Officer, said delivering CPR awareness, choking intervention guidance, bleed management advice and home fire safety support on‑site had made vital information more accessible. Strong participation from families — especially young people — was encouraging, and he praised residents interested in becoming trainers. He added that the partnership shows what can be achieved when organisations work together to support community safety and resilience.
“These sessions have been a fantastic opportunity to engage directly with Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities across Hertfordshire and help equip residents with practical skills that could one day save a life,” added Woodman.
Josie O’Driscoll, CEO of local Gypsy and Traveller charity charity GATE Herts, said that the defibrillator and bleed kit project grew out of a sad experience involving the death of a resident from a heart attack, which made her charity think about what they could do to help look after residents and make sites safer places for everyone.
"We met several times with Hertfordshire County Council (public health and health protection team) and Hearts for Herts to talk through what could be done and how we could get the project off the ground," said O'Driscoll.
"Having a defibrillator and bleed kit available means that, in those critical first few minutes of an emergency, people nearby have the equipment they may need while waiting for the emergency services to arrive. We hope it will never have to be used, but knowing it is there can give people reassurance."
"We are also delighted that some members of the communities have now been trained in using the kits. This is an important step in helping residents feel more confident and prepared to respond in an emergency."
"We hope this project will help protect residents and potentially save lives across Gypsy and Traveller sites throughout Hertfordshire," continued O'Driscoll.
"It shows what can be achieved when communities, local authorities and organisations such as Hearts for Herts and GATE Herts come together and work with a shared purpose, we are incredibly grateful for the time, energy and commitment put in by everyone to make this happen."
Herts County Council press release/TT News
(Photographs courtesy of Hertfordshire County Council)