Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service Newsdesk

at 23/11/2018 08:21

A group of young people from Pencalenick School are celebrating their achievements in completing an innovative course run by Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service’s Phoenix team. This course has been funded by CSW Group and the European Social Fund through the Skills for Young People programme.

All participants were given the opportunity to take part in a range of fire service activities to promote teamwork, communication skills, raise confidence and aspirations. Alongside this, the course includes fire and road safety advice and first aid.

Throughout the course participants get the opportunity to learn and develop transferable skills through participating in fire and rescue service drills and activities. These skills can then be taken forward and put into practice when attending school, further education and training or in the workplace.
The Phoenix Project has been run by the Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service since 2002 and enhances young people’s self-confidence, communication skills and community spirit.
Assistant Chief Fire Officer Mark Hewitt said: “Cornwall Fire Rescue and Community Safety Service commits itself to developing skills for members of the local community. Our course staff are supportive, inspiring and passionate about what we do, therefore we create an inclusive learning environment for course attendees to realise their potential and ambitions. The participants on this course have worked extremely hard throughout this week to succeed and we are very proud to be able to work in partnership with Cornwall College.”
The Phoenix Project is a Cornwall wide initiative geared towards young people between the ages of 13 -17. They are given training in hose running, marching, wearing breathing apparatus (BA), life skills and problem solving with the aim of building confidence and self-esteem, raise aspirations and improve teamwork and communication skills.
“It’s great to see yet more young people learn not only how to become better communicators and leaders but to learn a very important fire safety message at the same time. Initiatives such as Phoenix help us to achieve safer communities from the ground up, which is the principal aim of the service” said Chief Fire Officer Paul Walker.

Councillor Sue James, Cornwall Council Portfolio Holder for Environment and Public Protection, said: “Training like this is an important investment in young people across Cornwall. I would also like to thank our fire service staff for supporting the young people in developing their skills.”

Phoenix Services has more opportunities to support young people who fit the funding criteria for Skills for Young People through the ESF programme. If you work with a group of young people aged between 15-25 and you would like to discuss if we can work with you please call us on 01326 318177.