Former college student follows teacher's footsteps to save lives in Suffolk

Why it matters: The 18-year-old from Ipswich, a former Suffolk New College student, is already helping save lives while studying on an access course, having secured a conditional place to study as a paramedic at the University of Suffolk.

The details: Cassidy started her first shift as a Community First Responder (CFR) on Christmas Eve, working alongside her former Suffolk New College tutor, Will Burl, after completing three weekends of training and passing her CFR assessment last year.

• CFRs are trained volunteers who attend emergency calls within their local area, committing at least 20 hours monthly to support 999 calls.
• The pair have attended various emergencies, including an unconscious patient, cases of chest pains, strokes and cardiac events.

What they're saying: "The experience has given me skills and knowledge, and I think it will give me the upper hand when I hopefully fulfil my dream of becoming a paramedic and working with an air ambulance crew," Cassidy said.

Burl, a former RAF member who mentored Cassidy, said: "I'd say half of the times we have been to see people, if we hadn't treated them, then their condition could have been life-threatening. Cassidy has dealt with every situation exceptionally well."

Inspiring others: Cassidy is already inspiring others, recently speaking to current public service students at Suffolk New College about her experiences.

The bottom line: "The one thing I wanted to get across is that they should feel confident going into any situation," Cassidy told students, embodying how determination and the right support can transform career aspirations into life-saving action.