On Friday 7th November, NWAS hosted its 2025 Community First Responder (CFR) Conference at the Garstang Country Hotel & Golf Club. The day concluded with a special evening celebration to recognise and thank CFRs who have volunteered for over 10 years of dedicated service.
During the day, David, Kelvin, and Richie attended the conference, which began with a light lunch and an opportunity to explore the market stalls hosted by the North West Ambulance Charity, defibshop, and the NWAS Wellbeing Hub.
The event also provided a great chance to reconnect with fellow CFR teams from across the region and share experiences. With Richie having a go at the CPR competition.
Conference Highlights
The conference featured an engaging programme of speakers, including:
- Dan Ainsworth, NWAS Executive Director of Operations
- Jemma Kinch, NWAS Head of Charity Emergency Services
- Dr Chris Grant, NWAS Executive Medical Director
- Sam Hall, Clinical Lead, Volunteer Sector
- Liam Saigi, National Strategic Lead for OHCA, Association of Ambulance Chief Executives
- Joe Crook, National Volunteer Lead, Association of Ambulance Chief Executives
- Chris Foy, Retired English Football Association Referee
- Matt Cooper, NWAS Area Director for Cumbria & Lancashire
The sessions were both informative and inspiring, offering valuable insights into the work being done across the ambulance service and volunteer network.
Evening Celebration
In the evening, Dawn joined Richie for the celebration event, where long-serving CFRs were honoured for their outstanding commitment. It was a warm and enjoyable evening, filled with appreciation, connection, and pride in the amazing work volunteers continue to do.
