Ref: PRHSP022                                                                 Date: 28^thNovember 2024

Life-saving defibrillator installed at Shrewsbury community hub

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A social landlord has installed a defibrillator at its community hub in Meole, Shrewsbury.

The new device is located on an external wall at the Homes Plus Meole Community Hub, in Maesbrook Road, where the public can drop in for help to get back to work, support to get online or advice on getting their finances back on track.

The defibrillator was donated by the Henry Angell-James Memorial Trust (HAJMT), a charity which was set up to provide Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in the centre of towns, villages and rural communities across the West Midlands and beyond. Their mission is to help prevent lives being lost because immediate access to an AED is not available in a community.

The defibrillator is fully accessible to the public 24/7 and has been added to the National Defibrillator Network, known as The Circuit, where people can find their nearest equipment.

Chairman of the HAJMT, Sally Angell-James, said: "The Henry Angell-James Memorial Trust was delighted to donate a Public Access AED to the Community Hub on the Meole Estate. Installing it here was the idea of the Meole Village Community Group and the Meole Estate Community Action Group, so that it is easily accessible in the event of a cardiac arrest. This has been a team effort and in line with the ethos of the HAJMT."

Samantha Allcott, Director of Housing for Homes Plus, said:"Early defibrillation can increase the chances of surviving a cardiac arrest dramatically. This could quite literally save lives in our community and that will make a real difference.

"We are pleased to have been able to support this initiative. This vital piece of equipment will increase the chances of survival for anybody who suffers a sudden cardiac arrest."

The campaign to install a defibrillator came from the Meole Estate Community Action Group (MECA) and Meole Village Community Group, after they noticed that there was a need in the community.

Meole Ward Councillor Bernie Bentick said: "The number of heart attacks and cardiac arrests are increasing and MECA is very grateful to Sally and her charity, the Henry Angell-James Memorial Trust, for donating a defibrillator to Meole Estate to help save people's lives. We're also grateful to Homes Plus for installing the device on the wall of the Community Hub in Maescroft Road. Free training sessions will be organised over the next few months, to find out moreplease contact me by emailingbernie4meole@gmail.comor calling 07890 056177."

The Meole Community Hub is open on Mondays between 10am and 12.30pm and 1pm and 4pm. Find out more about the help and support on offer, here:www.homesplus.co.uk/help-and-advice/plus-services/drop-in-and-see-us/

Further information aboutthe Henry Angell-James Memorial Trust (HAJMT) can be foundhere.

Caption for picture LAN24096_Meole:

From left to right:Meole Ward Councillor Bernie Bentick, Chairman of the HAJMT Sally Angell-James, Employment and money advice team leader at Homes Plus Mark Simpson and member of Meole Village Community Group, Caroline Higgins.

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Background for editors

Homes Plus is a social landlord which owns more than 19,000 homes in Staffordshire and Shropshire.

Registered as a Charitable Community Benefit Society, Homes Plus is a Housing Plus Group company. The Group is a leading provider of quality, affordable homes and care services that customers can trust. Member companiesalso include Care Plus, Property Plus and Severn Homes.

With a vision to be a resilient organisation, making a positive difference to homes, lives and communities, Housing Plus Group employs around 1,000 people in Staffordshire and Shropshire. The growing Group is addressing the housing crisis locally, by building new homes for rent, shared ownership and outright sale. It has committed to delivering affordable care and support for older people in their own homes and to creating new apprenticeship opportunities in the Group and its supply chain.

Housing Plus Group is inspired and guided by the values which are the foundations of its work: Communication, Learning, Accountable, Respectful, Inclusive, Trust and You.

The Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) requires that all registered providers confirm compliance with the Regulatory Framework, Governance and Financial Viability Standard. Housing Plus Group complies with this standard, holding the RSH highest rating for governance, G1 and V2 for viability. Please visit www.gov.uk to find out more.

www.homesplus.co.uk

Further information 

Mara Hargreaves  
Head of marketing and communications
Mobile (p): 07967 967 466
e:mara.hargreaves@housingplusgroup.co.uk

Ruby Davies 
Marketing and communications officer 
m:07485 922 776 
e: ruby.davies@housingplusgroup.co.uk

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