Young people in Sheffield are being given the chance to turn their lives around, thanks to an initiative run by South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue.

The Local Intervention Fire Education (LIFE) course, which runs for one week, starting on the 16 June 2008, aims to give a positive experience to young people aged between 13 and 18 who are either involved in or at risk of offending, antisocial behaviour, bullying or truancy.

The course is run by local firefighters, who have already proved to be successful role models to previous participants.

Candidates for LIFE are usually put forward by local schools or Youth Offending Teams.

Many past participants have already built on their experience by improving their education attendance and applying to be firefighters themselves.

This time, 14 young people will be attending Mosborough Fire Station to learn basic fire-fighting techniques and other key skills from firefighters. 

South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue’s Crew Manager Sam Wood, who runs the scheme said:  “The LIFE course brings young people together in a new environment which rewards positive behaviour.  If they complete the week long course, they receive a portfolio showing the skills they have gained such as teamwork, motivation, attendance, first aid and basic fire-fighting skills. 

“Many past participants have used their portfolios to help them move on to further education or to apply for jobs”.

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For further information on the course, please contact Sam Wood in the South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Prevention & Protection Team on 0114 253 2985, or email swood@syfire.gov.uk.