The idea for this event came to me after attending a talk at St. Patrick’s Church. Julie Taylor, who tragically lost her grandson to knife crime, was sharing her family’s experience and raising awareness by donating catastrophic bleed kits. Her message resonated with me—everyone should have basic knowledge of how to respond in an emergency.

With that thought in mind, I began discussions with members of the Ripple Effect Resident Group in the summer of 2024. Our initial focus was on securing a defibrillator for the Curzon Community Club. As the conversations evolved, it became clear that we needed to do more—we needed a First Aid course that would equip residents with lifesaving skills.

Thanks to ongoing discussions, we secured the installation of a defibrillator at the Curzon Club through the British Heart Foundation. But we didn’t stop there. The London Fire Brigade, after delivering an insightful session at another event, inspired the creation of a larger First Aid and Resilience Day. We invited them to speak, along with the Environment Agency, which provided guidance on flood preparedness. Additionally, Rev. Unesu from Christ Church joined us to share how the church supports the community in times of crisis—like during the Barking Riverside fire in 2019.

Around 40 people joined us, eager to learn and prepare for emergencies. The event kicked off with an engaging two-hour session from the Red Cross. Covering essential skills—how to respond to a collapse, heart attacks, choking, major bleeding, and the use of a defibrillator. Every participant walked away with new knowledge and a certificate recognizing their training.

After the session, we gathered for lunch, before diving into more discussions on resilience.

Post-lunch, the London Fire Brigade arrived—fire engine included! Darren, their team leader, delivered a talk on fire prevention and the importance of alarms. Attendees asked plenty of questions, eager to learn.

Next, the Environment Agency educated us on flood risks and early warning systems. Residents were encouraged to sign up for alerts and provided with a link to download the Environment Agency App—a small step that could make a huge difference in a crisis.

Our final speaker, Rev. Unesu from Christ Church, spoke passionately about the church’s vital role in emergency response. She shared how, after the devastating Barking Riverside fire, the church became a sanctuary—offering showers, washing machines, toilets, and hot meals to those in need. As a church that has served as a night shelter, Christ Church is well-equipped to support the community in times of crisis.

The feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive—many people expressed how valuable the day had been. Events like these not only equip us with lifesaving skills but also bring us together as a community, reinforcing the importance of being prepared.

With such a strong response, I hope to organise more events in the future, continuing to build a resilient, informed, and empowered community.

Would you be interested in attending a future session? Let’s keep the conversation going and make our neighbourhoods safer for everyone.

Marion Hull

Community Organiser