Fire cadets from across the UK recently gathered in Wiltshire for a weekend of collaboration and creativity — helping to shape the future of StayWise, the digital fire safety education platform hosted by the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC).

The residential, organised by the NFCC Prevention Hub, brought together cadets and their instructors from Merseyside, Leicestershire, Cheshire, Hampshire and Isle of Wight, Devon and Somerset, South Wales, and Northamptonshire.

Over the weekend, the group worked together to design and develop the new UK Fire Cadet section of the StayWise website that will host resources to support cadets with their operational skills and will also feature a wide range of materials that the cadets themselves identified as important to their development. These include:

  • Resources to support cadets’ work in schools, communities and with their families about fire safety, first aid, road and water safety.
  • Personal development content to help explore future career options — both within and beyond the fire and rescue service.
  • Guidance for progression through cadet ranks and roles.
  • And, for instructors, a dedicated library of resources to support and safeguard cadets and fellow leaders.

Workshops led by the StayWise team helped cadets map out the structure, content and user experience of the new area on the website. Between sessions, cadets also took part in a range of outdoor and team-building activities provided by PGL Liddington — making for a productive and inspiring weekend.

The residential weekend was made possible through the recent £500,000 government grant NFCC received from the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to expand the reach and impact of the UK Fire Cadets programme, creating more transformative opportunities for hundreds of young people aged 13-18. This includes the enhancement of digital resources via the StayWise fire safety education platform which will be shaped by the UK Fire Cadet Voice Forum with thanks to this residential.

Sarah Mason, NFCC Head of Prevention, said:

“It was fantastic to see our Fire Cadets so engaged in helping to shape their part of our StayWise website. These young leaders are passionate, insightful and full of ideas about how we can make our work more meaningful and accessible.

“By listening to their views, we’re making sure our services and products reflect what our users truly need. The whole group was incredibly supportive, creative and professional — they are a real credit to their units and their fire and rescue services.”

The insights gathered over the weekend will directly influence the design and content of the Fire Cadets area on StayWise, ensuring that it reflects the voice and priorities of cadets and instructors across the UK.

StayWise to Save Lives, and show your support by registering on the StayWise website, especially important if you are a parent, teacher or have caring responsibilities for young people. Help spread the word!

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Notes to editors

  •  The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) is a charity and an independent membership association and the professional voice of the UK Fire and Rescue Service. NFCC supports fire and rescue services to help them to save lives and keep their local communities safe.
  • UK Fire Cadets (UKFC) is a national uniformed youth organisation supported by the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) and run by individual fire and rescue services throughout the UK (all four UK nations). Unlike other cadet forces it is free of charge, and works with young people from all backgrounds.
  • There are currently more than 2,550 Fire Cadets volunteering out of 210 Fire Cadet Units, with the target age of the Fire Cadet Programme being 13-17 years old.
  • Fire Cadets is not about creating future firefighters but instead aims to support young people in developing a range of skills which are transferable to other areas of education, work and life.
  • The weekend took place at PGL Liddington – a purpose-built adventure and education centre, located near Swindon in Wiltshire.