Spotlight on Salamander at national seminar

Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service’s innovative Salamander project has been highlighted at a national seminar.

Salamander is aimed at young people between 13 and 17 who are potentially at risk of committing crimes, have some sort of care responsibility at home, or are at risk of social exclusion, such as being suspended from school or not being in work, education or training.

On 25 June, Group Manager Steve Williams gave a presentation on Salamander at the National Youth Engagement Seminar, organised by London Fire Brigade in partnership with the Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG).

This seminar focused on work undertaken by fire and rescue services in tackling juvenile anti-social behaviour, and other speakers included the Fire Minister Parmjit Dhanda MP; Sir Ken Knight, Chief Fire and Rescue Advisor for Communities & Local Government; Fiona Blacke, Chief Executive of the National Youth Agency; Peter Lister, Senior Head of Strategic Partnerships, The Prince’s Trust; and Cllr Les Lawrence, Chair of the Children & Young People Board.

During his presentation, GM Williams outlined how Salamander had developed over the last few years, while two young people who have benefited from the scheme also took to the stage to give first-hand accounts of their experiences.

GM Williams said: “Salamander is based on some of the basic principles of youth development, used by organisations such as The Prince’s Trust, of mentoring, skill acquisition, team and individual challenges, and a structured daily structure. We also encourage those taking part to start thinking about the implications of their actions and about how they can make themselves and others safer.”

Chief Fire Officer Andy Goves added: “Salamander is a jewel in the crown for our youth engagement work, and it has a proven track record of helping young people who have issues in their lives. I was very proud to see our scheme highlighted on the national stage, especially as the Fire Minister Parmjit Dhanda was in Wiltshire on the following day, when he learnt more about our work in the community.”

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