A course that has helped turn around the lives of young people in Sunderland who are involved in anti-social behaviour has won a prestigious National Training Award.

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service and Sunderland Youth Offending Service were announced as the Overall 2010 UK winners in the hard fought Partnership and Collaboration Award for the Sunderland Phoenix Project, beating eight other regional finalists.

The Sunderland Phoenix course is open to 11-17 year olds who have offended or who are at risk of offending. Firefighters are used as role models and work with the young people over a total of nine training days within a 12 month period. The aim is to instil some discipline, team working, raise self esteem and confidence, and increase awareness of the consequences of their behaviour, both good and bad.

Now in its tenth year, the Phoenix Project has produced some impressive results, as well as having been replicated by other fire and rescue services right across the country. In 2007, across Tyne and Wear there was a 67 per cent reduction in the number of offences committed while the students were participating in the programme and almost all the participants reported an improvement in self-esteem and self-confidence.

TYNE AND WEAR FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE
Corporate Communications
Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service
Nissan Way
Barmston Mere
Sunderland
SR5 3QY

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