Service praised for its work with young people in Wisbech

04 July 2008

FIREFIGHTERS have this week received a special mention by university professors for their part in transforming the lives of hundreds of young people in Wisbech.

For the last three years, Wisbech firefighters have worked with the YMCA Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Youth Inclusion & Support Panel (YISP) in Wisbech, educating and challenging young people who may be at risk of offending.

A recent study undertaken by Newcastle University Centre for Family Studies, into the effectiveness of the YISP, has revealed that the panel have been successful in their aims. They also paid praise to Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service for its input into the scheme.

The results were presented during an evaluation day, held at Meadows Community Centre in Cambridge on Monday. Members of the YISP, firefighters and some of the young people involved in the scheme were invited down by the professors to hear the findings of the study.

Two of the young people, Matthew Thomas (14) and Georgina Booty (12) of the Thomas Clarkson School in Wisbech, also showed off some of their new found skills to those attending, by making a simple makeshift stretcher, for use in emergencies, out of a ladder and some rope. This is a technique used by firefighters and is extremely useful when a large number of casualties need moving quickly and there are not enough regular stretchers available.

Martin Boome, Station Manager at Wisbech Fire Station, said: "The firefighters at Wisbech are very proud of the changes that they see in the young people at the end of their two-day course at the station.

"We think it is important to treat these young people as the adults they want to be. We give them responsibilities and teach them new skills, we encourage them to join in with the banter. But, we also let them know that everyone on our station MUST treat each other with respect at all times.

"They take part in drill exercises, such as the construction of a makeshift stretcher which we exhibited today. They also learn about fire safety, the dangers of arson, we talk about our experiences at the scene of road traffic collision and discuss with them the dangers of drink driving and speeding.
 
"It still amazes me how much some of these young people can grow up in such a short space of time. The YISP really does work. It makes these young people realise the consequences of their actions and it also helps them to realise that they have got something to offer society,

"It gives me an enormous sense of pride when I see these young people walking in the street and you can physically see that they've changed. Their clothes are smarter, they walk taller. We are proud to have an involvement in such a successful scheme."

The study into the YISP in Wisbech - funded by The Children's Fund - involved professors looking into the methods and practices adopted by YISP workers. The young people they take on are often lacking in confidence with troubled backgrounds. Some have been excluded from school, some have behavioural problems or learning disabilities, others have a criminal record.

The results of their study found the YISP to be performing excellently. Of the 300 young people who have so far been involved with the YISP, it has been found that 84 per cent had not re-offended since joining. They were also more confident and better socially equipped.

Nancy Stapleton, YISP co-ordinator for the Wisbech area, said: "The firefighters are great with the young people and have been flexible in devising new activities to keep in line with changing health and safety protocols.

"A total of 50 young people attended the fire service course last year. It is a very popular course, but it takes a lot of commitment and time for the firefighters to organise. We would like to thank the firefighters for this effort as the benefits to the young people involved are astonishing."