24/01/2025
Community centre finally gets lifesaving defibrillator after year-long wait
From left, Victory Homes head of housing Jay Furner gives the defibrillator to Weasenham parish council vice chair Tom McClenaghan. Also there were parish councillor Jackie Hargreaves, Flagship neighbourhood operations manager Joe McNeill and neighbourhood officer Stefon Cieschinger
A Norfolk community centre has gained a lifesaving piece of medical kit after waiting for more than a year.
Housing association Victory Homes, part of Flagship Group, has donated a defibrillator worth over £1,500 to Weasenham Parish Council.
The council had wanted a defibrillator to fill a cabinet installed over a year ago on the wall of the community centre in Lamberts Close, Weasenham St Peter, but had lacked one until Victory came forward with an offer to fund it.
Joe McNeill, Victory’s neighbourhood operations manager, said: “We know that this community centre is a real hub for local residents. We’re really happy to be able to supply this defibrillator to ensure it’s a safe spot for the community.”
Mr McNeill and Victory’s head of housing, Jay Furner, handed the defibrillator over to parish council vice chairman Tom McClenaghan and councillor Jackie Hargreaves.
Mrs Furner said: “The locals use this centre for so much and we’re really happy to not only donate them the defibrillator, but also offer them the first-aid training so that they feel confident using it should they have to.”
Residents watch on as Flagship training manager Lyn Halsted delivers a first-aid training session
Mr McClenaghan said: “We’re extremely grateful to Victory and to Flagship for their generosity in providing the defibrillator. Having a second unit in the village is brilliant, and having this new one at the communal rooms will give people using the facility, and those living nearby, some comfort.”
Following the handover, Lyn Halsted, Flagship’s training manager, gave locals guidance on using the defibrillator, as well as some basic CPR training.
Weasenham is between Fakenham and Swaffham, and Victory manages a number of homes near its community centre, which has a small gym and is regularly used for social events. The donation follows the housing association adding planters and park benches to a small park in Lambert’s Close early last year.
Tom McClenaghan and Jackie Hargreaves install the defibrillator in its storage case outside the community centre in Lamberts Close in Weasenham St Peter