Interactive learning day proves a success
A visit to Flashpoint - a life skills centre based in Cornwall - proved an enjoyable and educational day for a group from Plymouth with learning disabilities. Flashpoint Lifeskills Centre is an interactive learning centre providing courses dedicated to accident and injury prevention, crime and disorder reduction as well as health and safety messages.
The day was set up by Dave Evans from Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service who works with a variety of communities within the Plymouth area. This visit involved the Plymouth Highbury trust, a day opportunity provider from Plymouth.
Dave explained: “I found out about Flashpoint last year and realised the benefit it would be for adults with learning disabilities as it’s so visual and interactive. It has life-sized sets where they can experience dangerous situations, while remaining perfectly safe.
“We have several visits planned over the next couple of months. The clients are divided up into three groups when they arrive, each with their own volunteer who they explore each area with. The tour takes about two hours.”
Ellen Thomas an apprentice in the protection team with Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service, volunteers a couple of times a month at Flashpoint, helping out with the different variety of groups that visit.
Ellen said: “It’s a great resource as there are ten lifelike, realistic scenarios to explore, from a railway track, car collision, dark alley, farm and a beach. Everyone gets the opportunity to ring 999 twice which is answered by one of our operators upstairs and they ask questions in the same way as in real life. So a fantastic range of learning opportunities.”
Jill Singh from Plymouth People First, Self-Advocacy Project Officer said: “Normally we deliver safety information to our clients by standing and talking to them, but that does not hold everyone’s interest. The big plus point with Flashpoint is it so interactive, you go from room to room and information is given in short, sharp bits that are clearly defined into different areas. So concentration is focused on each area and they have been engrossed in what’s going on.”
“It’s proven that people learn in different ways and Flashpoint communicates to a range of senses, which is important when working with the client group we are supporting.
“It’s been great talking to my clients and asking them what their favorite bit was and they all said; ‘It’s amazing I like it all’. From our point of view it gives us a whole new scheme of work, as we have a better understanding about what they do and don’t know, as well as what information needs a top up.”
Neil Ochiltree, the community support manager from Plymouth Highbury Trust commented: “The day has been good fun and a great way for everyone to learn about safety, and this very much reflects our teaching style. I’ve also learned a lot about our client’s level of awareness in different environments and this is information I will take back to my team and we will build on. An amazing day all round!”
Angie Pope a client from Plymouth Highbury Trust said: “The day was good, I liked the accident best, the man was on the floor and I learned to phone 999. The flags on the beach were good; I know not to swim when the flag is red. I also learned not to touch electric as I would get an electric shook in my finger and that’s bad.”
Alan Coxon, Community Community Safety Prevention Manager from Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service said: “I think it is an excellent initiative set up by Dave Evans, the partnership working he has produced has been excellent. The benefit is the information learned today has a real practical everyday use, resulting in a greater understanding about what to do if there was a fire, road incident, or even just general stuff around the home. It has been an enjoyable day, but also a lot of learning has taken place and that’s the beauty of it for me. Great credit to everyone involved.”
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