Local MP Justin Tomlinson was left inspired and overwhelmed at the wonderful performance by the Swindon Down's Syndrome Group as part of the Swindon Salamander project last week.
The Salamander project is a collaboration between Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, Swindon Down’s Syndrome Group and supported by Swindon Police and the South West Ambulance Service. Working together to assist the young people of the Swindon & Wiltshire communities to progress and develop through empowerment and using positive learning to promote and encourage team work.
16 members of the Swindon Down's Syndrome Group, a mix aged 12-26, to experience a basic fire and rescue training course. They then performed all that they learnt to proud friends and family by undertaking a number of challenging scenarios including rescuing drivers after a road traffic collision and rescuing a mother and son from a burning building. The youngsters demonstrated their skills by using hydraulic cutting equipment and water pumps.
Justin Tomlinson MP said: “This was one of the most fantastic performances that I have seen and hands down one of my favourite visits. To see the faces of the participants light up as they demonstrated all that they had learnt was wonderful and the proud parents were beaming. A HUGE amount of thanks must go to all of the staff from the fire service, police service and ambulance service who dedicate their time for this programme. I have long been a supporter of the work that the Swindon Down's Syndrome Group does and the fantastic support network that it provides for families across Swindon; it was great to join them to celebrate the end of another successful week of the Salamander project and I will be making sure that more people find out about this truly excellent programme.”
Mark Evans, Watch Manager for Wiltshire Fire Service & who runs the course, said: “The programme is usually aimed at young people who need a steer in life and we use the sessions to highlight the consequences of certain behaviours. With this group, we focus on self-esteem and teamwork, allowing the young people to learn new skills and then work with others to achieve their aims. The previous courses we’ve run have been incredibly successful for the young people involved but they have also been really rewarding for the instructors and helpers. The changes we see as the week goes on are amazing and the feedback we get from the parents is always humbling. So many of them just cannot believe what their children have achieved and the joy this brings them is wonderful.”
Participant Lane Stow, 17, said: “Everyone has been working together and helping each other. We’ve been learning all about fire safety and how to use the hoses and rescue mum and the baby and it’s been really great fun. My favourite bit was working with the hoses and I enjoyed the ladder climbing.”
Jo Messenger, one of the trustees of Swindon Down’s Syndrome Group said: “It gives them a chance to see that the services are friendly, as the first time some of our young people get in an ambulance may be for something serious, so it’s good to show them a friendly side. They love every moment of it. The pride on their faces when they overcome challenges is amazing.”
