Matthew learns life-saving skills

Tuesday 28th of October 2025

When Matthew told his support staff that he’d like to go on a basic life support course to learn CPR, everyone was keen to help make it happen.

After searching around and not finding a course that quite suited Matthew’s needs, the team reached out to Avenues training partner, Marta, to see if something could be developed especially for him.

Marta was more than happy to help. She tailored a one-to-one session for Matthew, taking time to understand his interests, learning style, and any adjustments that might make the experience as enjoyable and accessible as possible.

On the day of the course, Matthew was full of excitement — no nerves, just enthusiasm and a big smile. He said he wanted to “learn how to help people,” remembering that he’d done a little bit of first aid years ago when he was in Cubs.

During the training, Matthew particularly loved the hands-on learning. He performed rescue breaths, chest compressions, and practised CPR on his mannequin, which he named Windy. When Marta discovered that Matthew even has his own defibrillator at home, she showed him how to use it safely, giving him the chance to practise this important skill too. Visual information was also included in PowerPoint slides to support the learning process.

By the end of the day, Matthew was thrilled. He said he now feels “much more confident” that he could help others if they ever needed him. His excitement didn’t stop there. He couldn’t wait to show his certificate to his neighbours and family. His dad told him how proud he was, and photos from the day were shared with Matthew’s extended family.

“Even though my shoulder ached a bit after all those chest compressions,” Matthew said, “I’m really glad I did it!”

For Marta, it was also a special experience. “It was a real pleasure to deliver the session”

Matthew’s story is a wonderful example of how a small idea can turn in to something incredible — building skills, confidence, and independence. He can now take pride in knowing that he has the knowledge to help others in an emergency, and that is something truly worth celebrating.