North East fire and rescue services have been recognized nationally for their work keeping the region’s children safe and out of trouble.
Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) doesn’t only deal with fire and safety emergencies across the region, they also have a responsibility to support and educate young people. They work with young people to divert them from making choices that may put themselves and their communities at risk, or might mean they do not achieve their full potential.
Youth offending teams
Their Diversionary Activities team works closely with schools, youth offending teams and community groups throughout the year. Not only do they help steer young people on the cusp of criminality back onto the right track, but they help develop vulnerable young people, or those low on confidence by giving them vital life skills for their future success.
One of TWFRS senior leaders is praising the team involved for their hard work
Through courses such as the Phoenix Program and Prince’s Trust, the service has helped change the lives of hundreds of young people. And now their hard work has been rewarded after the Service was formally accredited by the Government’s matrix Standard. One of TWFRS senior leaders is praising the team involved for their hard work and thanking the region’s young people for getting involved.
Incredible success stories
Area Manager for Community Safety Paul Russell said: “I am so proud of the hard work and effort that goes into our diversionary programs. They allow positive opportunities for the young people in our region to discover their passions in life whilst giving back to the community.”
“Each course we do is influenced by the people that attend and for the last 20 years we’ve had some incredible success stories which include a few Prince’s Trust participants joining us as full-time members of staff. To be recognized in this way is fantastic and is testament to the team that delivers the course.”
High-quality Information
TWFRS’s Diversionary Activities team look after the Prince’s Trust Team Program
The matrix Standard is owned by the Department for Education (DfE) and ensures the delivery of high-quality Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) services that enable people to reach their full potential.
The Standard is delivered by the Growth Company and is applicable in all IAG settings including, education, skills, employability, careers, health advice, money advice, and more as users will discover in their case studies. TWFRS’s Diversionary Activities team look after the Prince’s Trust Team Program and the Phoenix Program for the Service.
Three-part program
Both programs focus on getting young people from across the region to channel their energy into the positive effect they can have in the community rather than the negative. TWFRS are celebrating 20 years of delivery of the Prince’s Trust Team program, a 12 week course that provides young people with vital life skills.
While the Phoenix program is a collaborative educational three-part program that focuses on developing self-discipline, team work, social skills, positive attitudes and good behavior in young people.
Best possible support
This is a fantastic achievement for Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service’s Divisionary Activities team"
Roger Chapman, Head of the matrix Service for The Growth Company said: “This is a fantastic achievement for Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service’s Divisionary Activities team and I would like to congratulate them on their success.”
“We believe that at the heart of high-quality advice and support services are strong leadership, excellent service and a focus on continuous improvement, all underpinned by effective use of the resources available. The matrix Standard is designed to benchmark organizations against best practice in these areas. With their accreditation success, Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service’s Divisionary Activities team is working to provide the best possible support.”
High-quality advice
TWFRS is calling on anyone interested in joining their next Prince’s Trust Team Program to get in touch now. The next course begins on 18th September in Washington, Farringdon, and South Shields and it is absolutely free to join.
Further information can be found on the TWFRS website where people can also fill out the online form to sign up for the next course.
