Students give back to the community
Students from Dumfries College have been praised for their efforts to promote community safety, thanks to Leonard Cheshire in Scotland’s ‘Can Do’ programme.
It was an exciting project which has taught me lots of new things and given me new qualifications and confidence. I now know about fire safety and the workings of a fire station. Getting to use a fire hose was definitely my favourite part!
Levi Campbell, a participant of the Can Do project
The charity’s innovative ‘Can Do’ programme sees people aged 16 to 35 with additional support needs gain new life skills through training and volunteering opportunities at the heart of their local communities.
The Can Do participants volunteered with organisations including Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Compass Brain Injury and the Baldy Bane Theatre Company to develop an understanding about issues such as mental health, delivering CPR, the importance of fire safety and the daily workings of a fire station.
Thanks to Police Scotland, the Can Do participants learnt about the ‘I Am Me Keep Safe Scheme’. The scheme is the first of its kind in Scotland to protect disabled and vulnerable people from hate crime whilst encouraging them to live their lives as independently as possible. The Can Do participants learnt about Police Scotland’s ‘Keep Safe card’, which disabled people can use to stay safe when out and about in their communities.
Levi Campbell, a participant of the Can Do project, said:
‘It was an exciting project which has taught me lots of new things and given me new qualifications and confidence. I now know about fire safety and the workings of a fire station. Getting to use a fire hose was definitely my favourite part!’
The Can Do participants used their learning to create comic strips which are being shared with the local community in Dumfries. The comics, created with renowned local artist comic strip artist Marc Toner, convey important messages about staying safe whilst engaging audiences in an innovative and thought-provoking way.
Olivia Robinson, Leonard Cheshire in Scotland’s Can Do Coordinator for Dumfries, said:
‘Huge thanks to all of our community partners for making this brilliant Can Do project possible. The students from Dumfries College have had so much fun and have gained new skills and qualifications to boot!’
Media enquiries
For further information, high res images or interview requests please contact: Kieran Scott (Communications and Research Officer) at kieran.scott@leonardcheshire.org or call 0131 346 9040.