Several CashBack for Communities funded organisations have been partnering with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to increase understanding of fire safety, tackle fire-related antisocial behaviour and encourage positive relations between young people and the Service.
Celtic FC Foundation’s CashBack funded programme, CashBack Gateway to Opportunities (CBGTO) has developed a strong working relationship with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) and the partnership has become a key element to the programme.
Young people joining CBGTO attend the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service National Training Centre on various occasions across the year. The sessions cover house and building fires, train wreck incidents, oil rig incidents, dealing with confined spaces and the popular ‘A day in the life of a fire fighter’.
Participants reflected:
“The training centre day was amazing, the heat room was so so hot”
“I would like to look at how I become a fire fighter”
“It was great to see all part of the training centre, the house fire, road incident and the train tracks areas, it was really interesting”.
CBGTO sessions run at Celtic Park with SFRS include firework safety sessions, which lead to open conversations about safe use of fireworks, including risk and injury.
During one recent workshop, a member of the group challenged his peers in relation to perceptions of what is acceptable behaviour in and around Bonfire Night, in particular the impact on animals. This promoted a very open and honest discussion with young people sharing their own experiences.
The CashBack Gateway to Opportunities programme also includes workshops with Police Scotland as part of the ‘Pitchin In Programme’, as well as with Celtic Football Club’s Incident Liaison Officers and Safety Security Officers. These sessions cover: life choices, rights & responsibilities, ultra groups, crowd incidents, pyrotechnic incidents/injuries, match day operations, security and surveillance operations, and responsible citizenship.
Celtic FC Foundation Cashback Manager, Mandy Burns commented:
“Partnerships with Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and Police Scotland are essential as part of our core delivery. Not only does it add value to the learning of the participants, but also allows discussion and exploration of important topics, helps to remove stigma and promotes positive citizenship”.
Other CashBack projects taking part in firework safety include:
Mayfield & Easthouses Y2K CashBack 180 host inhouse workshops and activities as well as scheduled visits from SFRS to engaged with young people during evening drop-in sessions.
CashBack Positive Changes (Action for Children) Springburn Community Fire Station engage with their young people regarding firework safety.
Scottish Football Association’s CashBack Achieving Goals and Scottish Professional Football League Trust’s CashBack Off The Bench programmes run inhouse workshops and activities with young participants. These sessions focus on flares and pyrotechnic safety and include visits with SFRS.
Police Scotland’s CashBack Vow Project based in Edinburgh, work with Community Firefighters at Liberton Fire Station covering topics including health and safety, self-discipline and antisocial behaviour.
About Celtic FC Foundation CashBack Gateway to Opportunities (CBGTO)
CashBack Gateway to Opportunities (CBGTO) is a CashBack-funded employability, training and mental health project aimed at young people, aged 16-24, with a focus on those who have offended or are at risk of offending/reoffending and provides positive interventions for young people. CBGTO offers a range of activities, including personal development, avenues to further/higher education, volunteering and employment, certified training, and access to professional therapeutic service.
