Education For The Future

Education is an important part of the work we do at Great Western Air Ambulance Charity. There are several ways we educate and raise awareness within and beyond the communities we serve as we strive to improve patient outcomes.

Discover how we can help each other make our communities safer:

Schools

Primary

Learn about the role of the heart and most importantly, how to help someone if it stops! Currently, less than 10% of people who suffer an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survive, but receiving early CPR and early defibrillation can improve their chance of survival. Find out what to do!

Secondary

Our Great Western Hearts CPR Programme is a training initiative which teaches secondary-aged students how to confidently administer CPR and use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). These interactive sessions are delivered by a range of volunteers from the healthcare professions who are basic life support trained. 

Free school talks

Our Critical Care Team are less a flying ambulance and more a flying hospital Emergency Department. We offer free talks to schools across our region to teach students about what we do and why it’s so important. The talks are fun, engaging, and totally free! 

Fundraising

Fundraising teaches students valuable skills, giving them the opportunity to think as a group and work for the benefit of others. If you would like to fundraise for us then please get in touch with our Supporter Engagement Team, who will support you every step of the way.

Community Groups

Girlguiding

We have teamed up with Girlguiding Bristol & South Gloucestershire County, and Girlguiding Somerset North County to provide the GWAAC Guides Challenge Badge.

Scouts

Working with Gloucestershire Scouts and Avon Scouts, we've launched the GWAAC Scouts Fundraising and Challenge Badge.

Tailored talks

Great Western Air Ambulance Charity representatives are available to give free, tailored talks to your group, organisation, or business on what it is we do and, crucially, why we do it.

Learn CPR

Would you know what to do in the event of a cardiac arrest? Book onto one of our CPR and defibrillator training sessions held at our airbase.

On Wednesday 23 April 2025, or Thursday 26 June 2025.

Get in touch about our education programs