21.10.04
Pilot fire safety training for families

On Wednesday 27 October a dozen parents from the Falmouth area will take part in a ground-breaking initiative to promote fire safety skills to families.

The Cornwall County Fire Brigade's Phoenix Project and CN4C's SureStart for Employment programme have come together to run a free one-day course based on the fire service's Phoenix initiative. Phoenix has been working with young people for two and a half years, running courses which last five days. Now they've put together a condensed version aimed specifically at families, and focusing heavily on fire safety in the home. During the day they learn communication, trust and team work skills through various Fire Brigade activities.

Phoenix project manager, sub-officer Tim Cocks, said: "Phoenix has already proven that we have a successful formula for working with young people. If the family project we're piloting in Falmouth can replicate that success, we hope to be able to roll out these one-day training programmes throughout Cornwall. Not only do people learn some basic fire safety skills; they also learn to build self confidence, while raising their feeling of self worth, assisting their social inclusion and increasing their employment opportunities."

Fergus Murray, chief executive of CN4C said: "This initiative by CN4C and the Fire Service underscores the value of placing a strong emphasis on community development as a first step on the pathway towards training and employment. The parents taking part are not currently working. The course will introduce them to the concepts of discipline, training and teamwork – all of which are essential in the workplace as well as in the home. It could well be a turning point in their lives."

The Phoenix project works with young people in the county as part of Cornwall County Fire Brigade's strategy towards making Cornwall a safer place to live, work and visit. The project is invested in by various sources including district councils and requires a minimum budget of £100,000 for programmes in Cornwall.

SureStart for Employment (SSFE) is an employment initiative funded by Jobcentre Plus, European Social Fund and Sure Start Pebbles (Falmouth), and managed by Cornwall Neighbourhoods for Change (CN4C). Cornwall Neighbourhoods for Change (CN4C) is a tenant-led community development company creating real and sustainable change by addressing the needs and desires of disadvantaged communities through partnership and participation. As part of the wider CN4C network, SSFE works closely with other CN4C community development and regeneration projects.

Editor's notes:

Further information:

Barbara Smith, PR Adviser
CN4C
01736 786421 / 07801 947897

Tim Cocks
Phoenix Project
07779 359223

Sue Wolstenholme
Objective One Communications
Objective One Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Mobile: 07973 813647
Telephone: 01579 370991

lmroberts@cornwall.gov.uk

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