Promoting Carbon Monoxide Awareness Project Promoting Carbon Monoxide

Promoting Carbon Monoxide Awareness Project

Promoting Carbon Monoxide Awareness Project 1. Who we are 2. The aim of the PCOA project 3. Our approach and the offer 4. Progress so far 5. Lessons learned 6. Next steps and how you can help

Who we are Gas Safe Charity Bath and Main Associates • The Gas Safe Charity was set up in 2009 with a vision that there • Background are zero deaths, injuries and illness caused by dangerous gas • Experience work and faulty or poorly cared for appliances in the home. • Our aim is for everyone to know • Role what to do to be safe with gas. • The Charity is funded by and works closely with the Gas Safe Register.

Aim of PCOA Project Raise awareness of the symptoms and causes of CO poisoning amongst people who work with and support vulnerable people, usually in their own homes

Our Approach 1. Work in partnership with (usually charities) that have large numbers of front line staff/volunteers who work in people’s homes 2. Build on existing CO awareness activity 1. Offer 3 ways to engage with the project: i) information ii) collaboration iii) mainstreaming message

The Offer Engagement level Activity Information Agreed text to be slotted into newsletter, web site, presentation, training leaflet, fact sheet or social media Basic training (Collaboration) 15 minute stand alone presentation including script with key messages on CO causes, symptoms and action CO Champions (Mainstreaming) • 2 -3 hours interactive session to cascade message via “train the trainers” approach • Pledge personal action

Progress so far 1. Getting an understanding of the gas sector 2. Mainstreaming commitment from: - Red Cross - Foundations - National Age UK - Local Age UKs - Visionary - UKHCA

What have we learned so far? • Charities motivated not only to help their clients but also by their duty of care to staff and volunteers • Currently low level of awareness of CO poisoning as an issue • A key challenge is how a front line worker deals with a problem that doesn’t leave a vulnerable person worse off e. g. no heating

Next steps 1. Pilot training packages (February) 2. Deliver training (March - September) 3. Refine messages and address issues as they arise 4. Increase the network of contacts and CO Partners across UK 5. Develop links to statutory agencies for the future