Our Partnership with Halifax Boxing Club

Spotlight on... Our partnership with Halifax Boxing Club What the need was and how we identified it What we did and the difference we made In the Mixenden, Illingworth and Boothtown areas We asked for interested parties from Calderdale of Calderdale District our firefighters have been Crews who would be willing to attend boxing subjected to high levels of violence and there have sessions. They would receive 2 hours overtime in been high incident rates of anti social fires. We exchange for two voluntary hours at the Club. To identified the Halifax Boxing Club as a new approach get the project up and running CC Carl Foulds, for engaging with young people to help reduce Blue Watch Halifax initially attended on a voluntary these incidents. basis until funds were secured for a small overtime Following a visit to the Boxing Club by one of budget. Additional volunteers came forward – FFs Calderdale’s Fire Safety Inspectors and discussions Steve Lewis, Kris Whitworth and Rehan Mansoor and with the District Commander, a partnership was set we now have 4 instructors trained to the Amateur up between West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, Boxing Association Assistant Coach level. They the Boxing Club and West Yorkshire Police. SC Robin agreed to commit voluntary hours to match the paid Ward leads on the partnership. overtime, however they are actually volunteering twice as many hours than they are being paid - such Its aims were: is their commitment to this community initiative. The • Promote safer communities by reducing re- Halifax and Illingworth crews continue to engage the offending community in Boothtown and Ovenden by attending • Promote safer homes through provision of events. We also have a display board in place at education the Boxing Club dedicated to community safety • Promote road safety education. • Promote fitness and well being • Integrate WYFRS into an area of high deprivation West Yorkshire • Reduce the occurrence of anti social behaviour in Fire & Rescue Service the neighbourhood Making West Yorkshire Safer www.westyorksfire.gov.uk An excellent Fire and Rescue Service Making a difference An excellent Fire and Rescue Service Making a difference This ‘spotlight on’ contributes to... Outcomes of backgrounds, including a large number targeted DELIVERING A PROACTIVE through an outreach fitness programme. FIRE PREVENTION AND The original idea of the partnership was to try a PROTECTION PROGRAMME different route for engaging young people in the area, We have seen a reduction in the number of recorded to reduce attacks on firefighters. To date these attacks occurrences of violence towards staff and a reduction PROVIDING A SAFE, have reduced by 50%, which is encouraging. in anti-social fires so we are keen to continue COMPETENT,DIVERSE Although we are in the early stages, an unexpected supporting this initiative. WORKFORCE outcome has been the opportunity for our employees At the outset of the partnership we asked members to gain additional skills and immense satisfaction to complete a questionnaire on their knowledge and EMPLOYMENT AND from being a boxing coach and making a difference experience of working with the fire service. This will TRAINING INDICATOR: 3.29 to the whole community. The Firefighters also act as be repeated after 12 months to evidence the impact positive male role models for the young people at the of the WYFRS education programme on changing club. behaviour. The Youth Offending Team is also using this initiative. They refer their clients to the Club, using boxing Key to our success as a way of getting offenders engaged in a highly • Support from senior manager in recognising the disciplined and focused manner, with role models benefits to the Service and the community from the Fire and Rescue Service. • Commitment from employees to work with their The close involvement of our firefighter coaches and community and volunteer their time crews has raised WYFRS’ standing in the community • Working in partnership with the Halifax Boxing and Cllr Bryan Smith has been actively involved in the Club and West Yorkshire Police partnership. Contact What next? Station Commander Robin Ward It would be unrealistic to expect the four firefighters e: [email protected] to take on all the responsibility for all these events so West Yorkshire now further opportunities will be available for other Fire & Rescue Service crew members to be involved. The Club now has 300 young members from a range Making West Yorkshire Safer www.westyorksfire.gov.uk.

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