Lifewise 'safety set' expands into new home

A PROJECT teaching safety to youngsters will remain in Rotherham after better premises were found.

Lifewise—which uses a film set to recreate community dangers—has held workshops for 20,000 youngsters a  year since it began in 2005.

After outgrowing its Magna home, there were fears that the innovative police and fire service joint effort would have to leave the borough.

Now construction has started on a new site, at Hellaby, and Supt Eddie Murphy praised the “outstanding” assistance from the borough council, NHS and businesses.

Supt Murphy, the force’s head of community safety, said: “Yes, it’s going to happen and, yes, we’ve had some fantastic support.

“But no, we’re not finished yet and, no, I’m not sleeping at the moment. It’s going to be brilliant though, we’ve got more space so we’re creating a bigger set.”

A realistic street, pub, shops and a bus station are among the realistic scenarios used to spread safety messages.

Everything from bogus callers to gun crime is covered but the new Kea Park Close unit will broaden the scope.

One of the additions will be an internet cafe set, which will allow Lifewise to highlight  cyber-bullying.

Supt Murphy said: “We didn’t have room for this at Magna, but the need for this shows just how much the world’s changed since 2005 and it can be hard to keep up.

“We’ll also have other sets like an A&E, a dark alleyway and a proper police book-in desk and cell.”

With Magna becoming too small—and potential roof and heating repairs likely to cost £80,000—a checklist was drawn up to scout new premises.

A business breakfast was organised to attract firms able to lend a hand and help is still being sought.

Restorative justice will continue to be a focus for the project. Community payback participants have been working to bring Lifewise’s new home to life and charity In2Change will continue its link.

Supt Murphy said: “People say that community sentencing is easy, but you wouldn’t if you saw how hard they’ve been working on this.

“And with In2Change, the only people who can really talk about what life is like in prison are those who have been there, so we’re pleased they will at the centre.”

He added: “There was nothing wrong with Magna, but we couldn’t have done all we will br able to there.

“We were also keen to stay near the motorway system, so when Hellaby came up it was a great opportunity to stay within Rotherham.”

The annual funding from police will average about £60,000, while the fire service will put up £50,000 a year.

But revenue streams are being explored too, with negotiations continuing over accommodating South Yorkshire Safety Camera Partnership staff.

And if it becomes the venue for the new safety awareness course, an extra £85,000 would be coming in a year.

Fire service community safety head Steve Makepeace said that Lifewise was an extremely valuable resource for educating people on a wide range of community safety issues.

He added: “The new centre will be available seven days a week, which will expand the opportunities available to both the fire and police service in a safe and inspiring environment.”

Anyone who can spare any time or resources for the project, can contact Kate Robinson on 07717 715374 or email [email protected].

 

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