Group hopes bleed-kit project will save lives

A community interest company is hoping to play "a vital role in saving lives" after putting up 130 lifesaving bleed control kits.

Wingman Mentors, which works with vulnerable young people and those at risk of criminal exploitation, will place the specialist kits across Bedfordshire.

Awareness sessions will also be held to discuss knife crime, raise awareness and bringing communities together.

Cara Gavin, head of Bedfordshire Veru (Violence and Exploitation Reduction Unit), which funds Wingman Mentors, hoped the kits would not be needed, but said: "In the rare case that we do, we’re proud to be ensuring anyone facing a life-threatening situation has better access to immediate trauma care."

The specialist kits are designed so members of the public can treat someone for severe bleeding while waiting for paramedics to arrive.

They will contain a trauma dressing, chest seal, pack bandage, tourniquet and other trauma care items.

Ms Gavin said: "We have seen critical bleed kits play a vital role in saving lives across the country, be it for injuries as a result of violence or road traffic collisions."

Sessions will be hosted by Wingman Mentors’ specialist youth workers to encourage self-reflection, resilience and provide practical tools reduce the risk of involvement in crime.

Wingman Mentors’ operations director Michelle Kane said: "This project isn’t just about placing kits; it’s about creating a network of local volunteers who care for and manage these resources, bringing communities together in the shared mission of safety and support.

"The awareness sessions offer a space to discuss the impacts of knife crime, explore its causes, and begin to address some of the difficult questions surrounding it.

"This initiative allows us to support young people at risk of involvement in knife crime, connecting them with mentors who encourage healthier choices and positive actions, creating safer communities and better futures."

Bedfordshire's Labour police and crime commissioner, John Tizard, said the project opened the door for wider discussions about knife crime, the trauma it caused and how to tackle it.

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