Donate For Defib is supporting the development of a new ‘Cardiac Arrest Survival Research Programme’ in collaboration with the University of Bristol, providing final-year medical students with the opportunity to undertake research into cardiac arrest, CPR, defibrillation, AED accessibility, simulation, and community response and resilience.
Programme Overview:
The programme aims to connect academic research with real-world community impact. Students will be encouraged to explore important questions surrounding cardiac arrest and consider how their findings could contribute to improved public awareness, CPR education and access to defibrillation across Weston-super-Mare and the surrounding areas.
Each year, a group of final-year medical students will undertake a research project with a focus on cardiac arrest and resuscitation. Where appropriate, this work may involve collaboration with the Bristol Biomedical Simulation Centre, alongside questionnaires, presentations, simulation-based learning and other academic activities forming part of their final-year studies and dissertation.
Subject to appropriate university approvals and permissions, Donate For Defib hopes to share relevant findings and accessible summaries of completed research with the local community through both practical training, social media and website content with relevant GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) considerations. This will help showcase current research and evidence relating to cardiac arrest survival, CPR, early defibrillation and community resilience.
Supporting The Chain Of Survival:
Through this approach, we hope to create a lasting link between university research and community action, helping turn evidence into practical initiatives that can contribute to improved cardiac arrest survival outcomes for the future.
Programme Leadership and Support
The Cardiac Arrest Research Survival Programme will be led by Josh Bell, Co-Founder and former Project Lead of Donate For Defib, and Professor Graham Stuart. Both are now members of the Defib Experience Advisory Panel (DEAP).
Building on the project’s development over the past three years, since its formation in August 2023 and its recognition through multiple awards, the programme aims to continue this success by expanding into new areas of cardiac arrest research, education and community impact.
Josh continues to support Donate For Defib through his involvement with DEAP, as well as maintaining the project’s website, supporting events and teaching, and responding to cardiac arrests through the GoodSAM App with the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, more information on this can be found here: https://www.swast.nhs.uk/goodsam-app/
He is also a member of the Resuscitation Council UK and a qualified Great Western HeartStarter Leader through Great Western Air Ambulance Charity.
Josh Bell
Programme Founder & Lead
Josh is Co-founded the project.
Josh supports the day-to-day operations of the work and supports with the emails, operational status and project management, alongside the Senior Management Team.
To contact Josh, email: [email protected]
Subject Title: FAO Josh Bell
Professor Graham Stuart
Programme Clinical Lead
To contact Graham, email: [email protected]
Subject Title: FAO Professor Graham Stuart
Programme Team Members & Supporters
Peter Elston
Peter Elston - Corporate Ambassador & Visual Communications Lead
Peter will be supporting the initiative as a Corporate Ambassador and (Visual Communications Lead) / Photographer, helping to document the programme’s progress, capture key milestones and share the stories behind this important work.
Through his photography and ambassadorial role, Peter looks forward to helping showcase the achievements of the programme, celebrating the contributions of those involved and highlighting the positive impact that collaboration between researchers, clinicians, students and the wider community can make.
Peter is particularly looking forward to working alongside the new University of Bristol students and the clinical team as the programme develops.
His involvement reflects the importance of bringing people together, raising awareness and celebrating the dedication of everyone working towards a shared goal: improving cardiac arrest survival and helping save lives through research, education and community action.
To contact Peter, email: [email protected]
Subject Title: FAO Peter Elston
Ellie Harris
Programme Clinical Lead
Ellie is a valued member of our team, supporting the Cardiac Arrest Survivor Research Programme through her role as Administration and Social Media Lead. She helps keep everything running smoothly behind the scenes, ensuring our work is well organised and that the important messages we share reach the people who need to hear them.
Ellie brings a wealth of experience from a variety of administrative roles, including working within legal services and Devon County Council. With her organisational skills and professional experience, she supports the day-to-day running of the programme, while also helping to schedule, share and promote our work across our professional social media platforms.
Through her role, Ellie helps us build connections, raise awareness and share the stories and experiences that matter. Her contribution supports our wider mission to ensure that the voices of cardiac arrest survivors are heard, valued and help shape the future of research, education and clinical practice.
To contact Ellie, email: [email protected]
Subject Title: FAO Ellie Harris
Faculty Members (Staff At University Of Bristol)
The programme will also benefit from the ongoing support and expertise of members of the University of Bristol, including Dr Stephen Harmer, Dr Richard Heyler and Dr Andrew James, alongside the invaluable contributions of the medical students who will participate each year.
Dr Stephen Harmer
To contact Peter, email: [email protected]
Subject Title: FAO Peter Elston
Dr Richard Heyler
Dr Andrew James
Maintenance Contracting Lead
To contact Peter, email: [email protected]
Subject Title: FAO Peter Ashman
Our Fantastic Medical Students In (2025/26)
Last years, brilliant medical student that supported us in 2025/26, had a fantastic year of working with us, that we decided to create this into a specific programme to continue supporting more students!
Thank you to
⚕ Sophie – Biomedical Science Student⚕ Lucy – Neuroscience Student⚕ Katrina – Neuroscience Student
They supported our mission to:
Enhance the provision of life-saving defibrillators Raise vital awareness within local communities
We look forward to working with more and more students in many years to come!
To find out more about their brilliant year, please visit: https://donatefordefibwsm.co.uk/uob-medical-students-2025-26/
Photo Credit (Left to Right): Sophie, Lucy and Katrina – Medical Students in 2025/26.
Our Medical Students (2026/27)
Contact Us
Anyone is welcome to contact the ‘Cardiac Arrest Research Survival Programme’ by either email [email protected] or via our Facebook Page, see the links below or feel free to complete our ‘Email Form’.
Thank you for your ongoing support