"Fill Our Schools with Lifesavers"

Schools across the UK are being encouraged to take part in Restart A Heart Live 2026, a free interactive livestream designed to give young people the confidence and skills to help save a life.

Taking place on Thursday 1 October 2026, the event is open to primary and secondary schools, colleges, workplaces, community groups, families and individuals. Participants will receive engaging CPR and defibrillator awareness training that can be delivered directly in classrooms, workplaces or homes, with no specialist equipment required.

The East of England Ambulance Service (EEAST) is supporting the national campaign, which aims to give as many people as possible the knowledge and confidence to act in the event of an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, where immediate intervention can significantly improve a person's chance of survival.

Every year, more than 40,000 people in the UK experience an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, yet fewer than one in ten survive. Research shows that immediate bystander CPR and early use of a defibrillator can more than double a person's chance of survival, making public education one of the most powerful ways to improve outcomes.

Restart A Heart Live was created to remove barriers to learning lifesaving skills. No CPR manikins are required and participants simply need a cushion, folded jacket or teddy bear to practise along with the live demonstration.

Following the success of previous event in 2025, which reached more than 132,000 viewers across the UK, organisers are aiming to inspire even more schools and communities to take part in 2026 and help create a generation that is confident to act in an emergency.

The event is delivered in partnership with ambulance services and leading resuscitation organisations from across the UK, supporting the shared ambition of ensuring that every young person has access to lifesaving education.

Liam Sagi, National Strategic Lead for Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest at the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE) and a Critical Care Paramedic at the East of England Ambulance Service, said:

“Eight out of ten cardiac arrests happen at home, so we must equip the public to step in and perform CPR as part of everyday citizenship. AACE is proud of the cross-UK partnerships that made RSAH Live 2026 possible. We know from experience how vital early intervention is. This year’s campaign is about more than statistics, it is about inspiring a new generation to act decisively and save lives.”

James Cant, CEO of Resuscitation Council UK, commented: 

“Restart a Heart Live demonstrates what can be achieved when people come together with a shared commitment to saving lives. Every young person who learns CPR becomes a spark of hope in their community, capable of making a life-changing difference when it matters most. Resuscitation Council UK is proud to support this campaign and the thousands of young people taking part this year.”

Ellie Orton OBE, CEO of NHS Charities Together said:

“NHS ambulance charities play an important role in helping communities gain the knowledge and confidence to respond in an emergency. Restart a Heart Live brings that mission to life by giving young people across the UK the opportunity to learn lifesaving skills in an engaging and accessible way. NHS Charities Together is proud to support our ambulance charity members and partners in inspiring the next generation of lifesavers.

Schools can choose from a range of live sessions throughout the day, with content tailored for different age groups. If schools are unable to join live, they can still register to receive access to the recorded session, ensuring no one misses the opportunity to take part.

The campaign is calling on schools, teachers, local authorities, parents and education leaders to work together to ensure as many young people as possible benefit from this year's event.

Let's get Everyone CPR Ready.

Schools can register now at www.restartaheart.live