A group of young people will work together and learn new skills during an inaugural Phoenix course by Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Youngsters have been referred onto the course, which replaces the previous LIFE (Life Intervention Fire Education) course, which will be held at Rushmoor Fire Station from this week, with additional sessions provided over the coming weeks and months.

The group of 11-16 year-olds from Basingstoke and Deane, Hart and Rushmoor will have the opportunity to develop and learn new talents by undertaking a variety of challenges. All participants will receive an accreditation at the end of the course, qualifying them for educational credits, which contribute towards other programmes and qualifications. Youngsters will provide a demonstration of their skills at the end of the course.

The course is funded by the Safer North Hampshire community safety partnership.

Gary Sloan, Team Leader for Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “The Phoenix course is a more holistic, in-depth course than the previous LIFE course, and unlike its predecessor, there is a large element of mentoring and further education involved. The course retains the essence of the LIFE course but now also includes first aid, home fire safety and arson-awareness. It is now more target-led, and there are requirements which last long after the course itself has finished, for example, targets in the home such as not swearing, or healthy eating, which we will follow up on to determine the success of the course.”