Friday 16th October, Bradford College staff and students took part in a Restart the Heart workshop delivered by Yorkshire Ambulance Service, learning how to perform CPR and respond in an emergency.
The session provided participants with valuable hands-on experience, highlighting the importance of knowing how to act when someone experiences a cardiac arrest and how learning a life-saving skill could make a real difference.
Paul, an instructor from Yorkshire Ambulance Service, emphasised why CPR training should be accessible to everyone,
“I think it’s important that everybody knows how to do CPR. It’s a real life skill that generally will save a life moving forward.”
For students, the workshop demonstrated how these skills can be useful well beyond their chosen courses. Elliot Frost, who studies Level 2 Carpentry & Joinery at Bradford College, recognised the importance of being prepared for an emergency, whatever career path someone follows.
He said: “You never know in general what could happen and especially if you know the skill that you’ve got, you can save a life.”
Among the instructors supporting the session was Wade O’Neill, a former Level 3 Uniformed Public Services student who completed his studies at Bradford College in 2024.
Wade now works as a Community First Responder with Yorkshire Ambulance Service and also volunteers in community engagement, helping to organise events that raise awareness of the ambulance service and the opportunities available within it.
Reflecting on his time at college, Wade explained how practical first aid training and encouragement from his tutors helped him discover a career path he had not initially considered.
He said: “I joined the course, not actually 100% knowing which one I wanted to join.”
Through his studies, Wade gained an insight into the different emergency services and discovered that becoming a Community First Responder offered a route into the ambulance service. He began volunteering during his second year at college, an experience that helped shape his future career.
Returning to Bradford College to support the Restart the Heart workshop was an opportunity to share his experience and help others develop potentially life-saving skills.
Wade also hopes to work more closely with the College in future, speaking to Uniformed Public Services students about his role and encouraging them to explore opportunities within the ambulance service.
He explained that he wants to share not only the importance of CPR but also his experiences of progressing from student to emergency service professional.
The workshop brought together practical learning, community engagement and a powerful example of how a former student can return to inspire others. For Bradford College staff and students, it was a valuable reminder that the right knowledge and confidence can help prepare people to make a difference when it matters most.
To explore how our courses and pathways could be the right next step, start here and go anywhere to help save lives.
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