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

• The Gas Safe Charity was set up in 2009 with a vision that there are zero deaths, injuries and illness caused by dangerous gas work and faulty or poorly cared for appliances in the home.

• Our aim is for everyone to know what to do to be safe with gas.

• The Charity is funded by and works closely with the Gas Safe Register.

Bath and Main Associates

• Background

• Experience

• Role

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

3. Offer 3 ways to engage with the project:i) informationii) collaborationiii) 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