In the last three years, some members of Belfast's Indian community have been lost due to sudden cardiac arrest.
This prompted some in the community to campaign for voluntary blood donation and to learn first aid.
With the support from the Short Strand Community Forum, LORAG (Lower Ormeau Residents Action Group) and local community leaders, vital first aid training recently took place for residents of a city centre apartment block.
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The Quaygate apartments are home to approximately 120 families including children. In 2021-22, the building was audited and identified to require cladding remedial work to be carried out at a significant cost.
Having lost a few friends in the recent past due to sudden collapse, Nagesh Siddegowda proposed the installation of Automated External Defibrillator (AED) kits in the apartment, along with first aid kits and training. The course was funded by LORAG’s health and wellbeing initiative and MCP First Aid Training conducted the training.
Nagesh said: "With all options of self-funding, various grants, community support being evaluated, the Quaygate community took the first step towards making this small community with eight trained and certified first aiders. This will enable them to attend to any immediately evolving medical emergency and provide first aid to everyone and everywhere.
"The training has strengthened their basic understanding of first aid, enhanced their confidence to attend and support, above all continue to volunteer for the community. A few actions for the future include promoting voluntary blood donation, installing defibrillators, emergency fire drill evacuation, multiple engagement activities with a focus on culture and diversity."
Short Strand community centre has played a vital role for residents of Quaygate including afterschool clubs, Irish dance classes and multiple cultural engagement activities, showcasing the warmth of the local community.
Bernie McConnell, Senior Community Development Officer said: "The Short Strand Community Forum are delighted to work with the Indian community from across the city, especially our neighbours at Quaygate. We have learnt so much from each other around our culture and have created long lasting friendships.
"Our connections go further than taking part in cultural events, we educate our children together. We have had employees here in our community centre from the Indian community. We hope to build these relationships further by developing programs that have an impact on all our lives.
"I personally have found new friends, ones I will treasure for my lifetime. Our play coordinator Agnes McGinley is the pillar of the society in their eyes. She has shown them so much love and welcomed their children into our community. Good luck to all of us. The future looks bright.
"Medical emergencies and accidents in most of our lives are totally unpredictable. For the betterment of living in a community, it’s imperative that some life skills like first aid and CPR become essential to save life in the event of an emergency."
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