When every second counts, access to the right equipment can mean the difference between life and death. That’s the driving force behind a new partnership between Platform Housing Group and the OurJay Foundation, an initiative that’s already making a life saving impact in communities across the Midlands.
The collaboration was launched in autumn 2025 and has seen the installation of life saving defibrillators at a number of Platform neighbourhoods. The aim? To ensure that as many people as possible have access to a defibrillator when it’s needed most.
But this partnership is about more than just equipment, it’s a shared mission to raise awareness, empower communities and create a lasting legacy in memory of a young life lost too soon.
READ MORE: Affordability continues to spiral as middle class priced out of more areas – Housing Executive
Turning tragedy into action
The OurJay Foundation was founded by Naomi Rees-Issitt in memory of her son Jamie – or ‘Jay’ – who tragically passed away in 2022 at just 18 years old following a cardiac arrest. His death was sudden, and while it couldn’t have been predicted, it might have been prevented if a defibrillator had been available nearby.
Since then, Naomi and the Foundation have worked tirelessly to install publicly accessible Automated External Defibrillators – or AEDs – across Rugby in Warwickshire and the surrounding area, raising awareness about their importance and offering CPR and first aid training and awareness to schools, workplaces and community groups.
A housing partner with heart
Platform Housing Group is the first housing association to formally partner with the Our Jay Foundation – and the first housing association in the UK to pledge to fit defibrillators onto existing and future housing developments – and it’s already seeing an impact of that decision. One of the newly installed defibrillators has already been used in an emergency, underlining just how critical this kind of investment can be.
As part of the partnership, Platform will:
- Review and check its existing defibrillators to ensure they are accessible and working;
- Purchase protective cabinets to house devices securely;
- Register all units on the national Defib Finder database, making them easy to locate in an emergency;
- Install new defibrillators at identified housing schemes and new housing developments;
- Embed defibrillator installations into future new build contracts, ensuring every new community is better protected.
These actions have all been made possible through Platform’s Wellbeing Fund, an internal grant set up to support community led and life improving initiatives across its operational areas. From fuel vouchers and food bank donations to mental health support and funding for warm spaces, the Wellbeing Fund is one of the ways Platform turns its community focus into practical action.
“We are so proud to be working with Naomi and the OurJay Foundation. This partnership is about saving lives, supporting safer communities and making a lasting difference across our neighbourhoods,” said Marion Duffy, Chief Operations Officer at Platform Housing Group. “Installing and maintaining accessible defibrillators is a simple but powerful step, one we hope inspires others to do the same.”
READ MORE: NHF research shows associations eager to jump aboard AI wave – Housing Executive
Empowering people, not just places
The initiative doesn’t stop at installation. The partnership also includes free awareness training for both Platform customers and colleagues. Sessions will cover CPR, how to safely use an AED, and basic bleed management, giving more people the confidence to act if an emergency arises.
And Platform has gone one step forward, delivering inhouse CPR skills courses; to date the housing association has delivered 18 sessions with 137 people trained.
For Naomi, this part of the work is just as important. She said: “The OurJay Foundation is very proud to work with Platform to ensure community accessible defibrillators are now available in so many more areas. Platform saw the need for accessible defibrillators and have been so supportive of our campaign to achieve this, in memory of our son and brother, Jamie. We look forward to continue this valuable work with Platform to install more community defibrillators.”
By combining community investment with life saving education, the partnership is already delivering real results and it’s only just getting started.
Naomi concluded: “Our partnership with Platform is so important to us and our mission. Jay would be so proud and – although we miss him every minute of every day – we know that he would be so happy whenever a life is saved by one of our defibrillators.”
The future looks bright
Platform has recently secured £20,000 from Travis Perkins, the UK’s largest builders’ merchants, to purchase a further 15 defibrillators.
To find out more about the OurJay Foundation please visit www.ourjay.org.uk. For more on Platform’s Wellbeing Fund and how it supports communities, visit www.platformhg.com/grants-and-funding.
