Mersey Reporter - #Merseybites #News

YOUNG people from schools across Merseyside celebrated becoming Fire Champions, at the home of Premier League champions Liverpool.

265 children from 8 Schools came together at Anfield, for a full day of activities in the largest Fire Champions event to date. The health and well being session, delivered by Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, with support from:- Merseyside Police and St John Ambulance, and local charity Evolving Mindsets, incorporated physical activity and age appropriate methods to teach young people about road, fire and water safety, first aid, and mental health support and understanding during School exams.

Funded by the Merseyside Violence Reduction Partnership, the Fire Champions project is primarily delivered within schools, over a 6 week period. The sessions use engaging, fun games and workshops to challenge preconceptions, spark meaningful conversations to promote healthy choices to keep children safe from harm.

The programme also focuses on subjects such as:- gangs, grooming, exploitation and County Lines, with the aim of building trust and better relationships between young people and blue light service personnel.

The latest cohort takes the total number of:- 9 and 10 year olds, to graduate as:- 'Merseyside Fire Champions' to 815, from:- 30 Primary Schools across the Region.

Merseyside’s Police Commissioner Emily Spurrell said:- “Investing in our young people is vital if we are to prevent them setting out on negative pathways that lead to serious violent crime and anti-social behaviour. Sport is such a powerful mechanism that really engages young people, aiding their fitness and mental health development, whilst giving them safe, positive opportunities and the chance to try new experiences and gain new skills. We are not only diverting young people from engaging in criminal or violent activity, but we are also improving their physical and mental health, empowering them with greater self awareness, constructive coping strategies and a positive mind set for the future to help them reach their full potential. Fire Champions also allows us to open up dialogue between blue light services and young people before they reach high school, to promote responsible behaviour and educate them on the dangers of common issues we see too often in our communities.”

Director of the MVRP, Supt Georgie Garvey said:- “We are so proud to fund and support the Fire Champions scheme. It’s an inspiring example of how early intervention can help us form new relationships with young people, building community resilience through opportunities they might never normally experience. By using a range of engaging techniques to help children to identify and understand when they feel they are not safe, we can help them stay in control of a situation, strengthening their protection factors, building:- self esteem, self confidence and self control. We are committed to keeping children safe from risky situations in their community and Fire Champions gives them those essential tools and the right ideals, to improve their prospects and aspirations to set them on the right path to a brighter future.”

Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service Group Manager Mark Sopp said:- “Fire Champions is a vital multi-agency education programme that equips children in Years 5 and 6 with the knowledge and skills to stay safe as they transition into secondary education. This event at:- Anfield is a celebration of the collaborative work being delivered across over 30 primary schools in Merseyside. By bringing together key partners, including:- Merseyside Police, St John Ambulance, and Evolving Mindset. we’re empowering young minds to make positive choices and build safer communities. To date, Fire Champions has reached a significant number of young people, and we remain dedicated to expanding this vital work.”