Ceredigion pupils receive lifesaving CPR and defibrillator training
Secondary school pupils across Ceredigion are receiving free CPR and defibrillator training through a new programme aimed at giving young people the skills and confidence to respond in an emergency.
The initiative is being delivered during the 2026-27 academic year through a partnership between Ceredigion County Council’s School Services, Save a Life Cymru, the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust and the Football Association of Wales (FAW).
All Year 8 and Year 10 pupils in Ceredigion’s Secondary and Through-Age schools, as well as pupils attending the Pupil Referral Unit (PRU), will receive face-to-face cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillator (AED) training.
The programme will teach pupils how to recognise a cardiac arrest, perform CPR and use a defibrillator, providing practical skills that could help save a life.
Save a Life Cymru, hosted by the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust and supported by the Welsh Government, works with partners across Wales to improve survival rates following out-of-hospital cardiac arrests by increasing awareness of CPR and defibrillator use.
The Ceredigion initiative builds on an existing partnership between Save a Life Cymru and the FAW, which has provided CPR and defibrillator familiarisation training to football clubs and community organisations across Wales. Funding has been provided through the FAW National Teams Players’ Fund.
Councillor Wyn Thomas, Cabinet Member for Schools, Lifelong Learning and Skills said: “We are delighted to be working with our partners to bring this important training to young people across Ceredigion. Knowing how to perform CPR and use a defibrillator can make a vital difference in an emergency.
“By giving pupils the opportunity to develop these practical lifesaving skills, we are helping them build confidence while contributing to safer and more resilient communities.”
Andrew Lindley, Head of Medical Education at the Football Association of Wales, said: “Anyone can save a life. Through this partnership, we want young people across Ceredigion to have the knowledge and confidence to recognise a cardiac arrest and take action before emergency services arrive. Early intervention saves lives, and every additional person trained has the potential to make a real difference.”
The launch coincides with Shoctober, Save a Life Cymru’s annual campaign to raise awareness of CPR and defibrillator use.
29/10/2026