Waterfront Crew earn rewards

The Waterfront Crew '07 evolved from the fire brigade's Youth Intervention Scheme, the Phoenix Project, which has been successfully running courses for young people referred from local schools.

The Phoenix Project helped to identify several common issues among the youngsters including the fact that 90 per cent of all referrals were not involved in any sports or activities, that a majority of their time was spent with people of the same age, 70 per cent of them were not from a conventional background and lacked a role model, a lack of communication skills and a 'nothing to do in our area' attitude.

Firefighter Tim Cocks, who led the Phoenix Project, said: "The success of CCFB Phoenix Project is well documented, however it was easily recognised that attending a five day course at a local fire station would have little impact on these issues.

"A partnership was formed with Falmouth Police and Falmouth School, and the Waterfront Crew '07 arose from the Phoenix ashes.

"We wanted to set up activities for the youngsters in the area but we didn't just want to give them away, we wanted them to earn them.

"To achieve this, a group of young people from different age groups were identified by Falmouth School. The initiative involved this group cleaning up the foreshore from Prince of Wales Pier to Custom House Quay twice a month from May to September.

"As a reward for this work we would provide various water activities. To fund these activities local traders were approached to sponsor the Waterfront initiative. The response from local traders was fantastic with full participation from everyone approached. The traders input were varied with some donating financial aid while others provided food, refreshments, T-shirts, equipment and activities."

The activities provided were selected to encourage teamwork and communication, and raise the awareness of the environment and our impact upon it, our main criteria however was to identify the young people's needs and equate that to the accessibility and cost of each activity. The activities included gig rowing, canoeing and fishing with some providers delivering these activities free of charge to encourage further participation.

From May to September the Waterfront Crew took part in eight clean ups, the majority of rubbish removed consisted mainly of fast food containers, although a bike, shopping trolley and a stereo system were also collected plus an expensive pair of floating binoculars.

Firefighter Cocks added: "The success of this initiative is based upon real partnership working, with everyone involved benefiting from the experience. It is hoped with continual support the Waterfront Crew will develop further.

"Some of our outcomes include; improved links between young people and the police, a cleaner more environmentally friendly foreshore, benefiting visitors and locals alike. Raised confidence, self esteem and aspiration, improved relationships between the school, young people and their parents, an appreciation of their environment and recognition of community values.

"We would like to extend a big thank you to all of the supporters of the Waterfront Crew, they are K&S Cruises, Morgans, Harvey's Wharf - New Cornwall Development Ltd, John Lay of Heather and Lay, Johnny Pearce - Chain locker, The Grapes, Toby Ireland - Coast Casuals, Earth Collection, Falmouth Harbour Master, James - Sea Salt, Gary Chambers, Harbour Lights, Anne/Kevin - The Cornish Store, Rowes Bakery, Lynne - Pier Café, Cornish Miner Pasty Shop, Harbour View Coffee Shop, Bishops Forum, Watermans Pub, Waterfront Pub, March Hare, Falmouth Gig Club, Owen Brains, Trago Mills and Andy's Tackle Box."

To conclude the year's activities, and highlight to the young people that such projects do not just happen but rely on the support and involvement from a variety of sources. An evening has been arranged at the Watersports Centre at 6pm for the sponsors above, the young people and their parents plus representatives from the agencies concerned.