We’ve had a few queries recently about our big cardiac arrest event later in the year and so we thought it best to let people know where we are with things. We’re still very much in the early stages of organising it but we have some more information that we can share.
We would also like to drop a hint that we aim to announce something very exciting quite soon which could be a game changer in national care for cardiac arrest survivors. We can’t say too much at this point, but if you really would like to give back in any way please put on hold any fundraising ideas you have as we may have a job for you 😉
Location
As previously announced we have booked the Barnsdale Hall Hotel for Saturday 28th September. This stunning hotel is near the town of Oakham and is in a lovely setting on the edge of the beautiful Rutland Water. It’s a very central location and has some great facilities including a spa, swimming pool, putting, pitch & putt and tennis courts!
We have on hold the rooms (~50) in the hotel until the end of July. These are priced at a discounted rate when you quote the code
There are a number of rooms that are accessible by wheelchair and two have disabled facilities. There is another hotel nearby although it is likely this will not be at a discounted rate and we will also be listing some alternatives for accommodation.
Educational Sessions
The majority of the daytime event will be held in the conference centre, which is separate from the hotel and just a few minutes walk. There is a small incline between the two buildings and should anyone need it there is a golf buggy available for transport.
The conference centre provides us with a number of rooms where will be able to hold our educational sessions. We are currently working on these and with the recent poll in the group, we have an idea of the topics people would like to hear about. The top options being…
- Dealing with memory issues
- The psychological aspect of survivorship
- Dealing with fatigue
- Putting an AED in your community
- Ask the cardiologist
- Living an active life post SCA
Please remember these are just provisional and subject to change but should give you an idea of the sort of subjects we will be looking at. We would also hope to repeat some of the drop-in sessions such as 1-2-1 counselling, CPR/AED training and ICD Q&A.
Overall we hope it will be similar in content and feel to last years very successful Guinness World Record schedule. One of the key points from the feedback of last year was that people wanted more time to be able to mingle with others and so we will aim to space the sessions out accordingly.
Evening Event
An evening of celebrating life – part 2!
Following on in the footsteps of last years bash we have a live band and DJ lined up and we’re hoping that we can again have the talents of fantastic balloon artist and magician Trevor Cline. Sustinence will
Schedule (provisional)
Friday 27th
7pm – Informal gathering for evening drinks
Saturday 28th
- 11am – 5pm – displays and stands from industry supports
- 11am – 1pm – Morning educational sessions
- 1pm – 1:45pm – Lunch
- 1:45pm – 5pm – Afternoon educational sessions
- 5pm – 7pm – Free/Mingle time
- 7pm – 12pm – Evening event
Sunday 29th
TBA – Social gathering /event
Cost
Evening event currently under discussion, but daytime event will be FREE!
Why should I come?
We asked for feedback on last years event and the response was overwhelmingly positive…
92% gave the day a 5/5 (and the rest a 4/5)!
98% said that the event had been helpful
There were lot’s of positive comments about most of the aspects of the day but many were about the fact that this was an opportunity to meet other survivors.
Some quotes:
“The whole event was one big party”
“…the most emotional and happy thing that I have been subject to in years”
“Meeting other survivors and their families, it was like therapy as everyone just gets it.”
“Wonderful people with whom I have made friends and something I will treasure forever.”
“So many people with similar tales to tell who had overcome cardiac arrest (with significant help from the NHS and friends and family) and seeing similarities between your own experience and theirs”
“Best experience since my SCA by far.”
“The evening event was so relaxed with people just getting to know each other – think we all feel we have made friends for life.”
“Amazing day, great organisers and the volunteers were very helpful throughout the day”
“You rock!!!!!!”
“Simply one of the best weekends of my life!!!”
Rest assured that along with our partners SADS UK and the Essex CTC we will endeavour to make this the best day of your life since your SCA.
So we do hope you can join us this year and we look forward to seeing you in September!
After our first meet-up in February 2015, I realised I was not alone. It was the first time since my cardiac arrest the previous year that I had spoken face-to-face with someone who had experienced what I had. This was also true for my wife, who also happened to be my lifesaver. From that meet-up, the idea of SCA UK was born. Since then, we have achieved a considerable amount, primarily providing information, resources and support to others in a similar situation but also raising the profile of survivorship and the need for better post-discharge care. We are starting to get traction in this, and with the formation of the charity, I genuinely believe we have a bright future ahead and will make a significant difference in the lives of many who join our ranks.