Halton Phoenix Project
The Phoenix Project has been running in Halton for over 7 years and was
initially established by fire fighters at Runcorn Fire Station following a
devastating fire at Halton Lodge Primary School in Runcorn. Out of the ashes
of the destruction the phoenix project grew which saw fire-fighters attend
Halton Lodge Primary on a weekly basis to work with the children and build
relationships with the whole school community.
From that original concept Fire Fighters across Halton now attend eight
schools on regular basis, undertaking a range of activities such as, litter picking
in the community, establishing garden projects, taking part in school projects
such as re cycling and supporting other school curriculum activities on many
occasions introducing issues such as fire safety, road safety and citizenship
through interactive means; the latest development to the project supported by
Halton UPG is an development of the original reading activities undertaken by
Fire Fighters.
Halton UPG have supported the purchase of reading materials to support the
reading development of children within the schools this being supported by Fire
Fighters acting as positive role models for the children by attending the schools
to read with the children. There is an additional incentive for the children to
improve their reading skills as the funds provided also support a prize within
the school for the most improved reader
The children enjoy the interaction with the fire fighters and respect the
contribution they make to our communities, the initial feedback from pupils and
teachers in regard to the reading project is extremely positive and we are
hoping that working this way with the children will give them a sense of value
for their communities and the fire fighters that work to keep them safe as the
grow into young adults.