Young people learn vital skills in course designed to improve relationships with police

Teenagers from across Wiltshire have taken part in a two-week course during which they worked with the armed forces and emergency services.

The group worked with Wiltshire Police dogs, tackling assault courses with the British Army, learning emergency first aid with the Street Doctors charity and being shown how to use the “jaws of life” by Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, in activities designed to break down barriers between young people and figures in authority.

Synergy is a project run by Wiltshire Police’s Youth and Early Intervention team in partnership with the Youth Justice Services in Wiltshire and Swindon, the British Army, Street Doctors and Dorset Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, and is funded by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire & Swindon through the Serious Violence Duty.

Following a successful pilot scheme and two successful courses in Swindon, it’s now been rolled out across the rest of Wiltshire, where young people identified as being at risk of being involved in serious violence or to criminal exploitation are given the chance to find out what these agencies do to safeguard the community.

Synergy was developed by children involved with the Youth Justice Service, and they were integral to its content and design, meeting members of the emergency services and armed forces to make sure sessions were engaging and beneficial.

One of the participants was sceptical before day one of the Wiltshire course at Warminster Garrison, but soon changed his mind: “I thought it was going to be a waste of time, but I quite liked it when I started getting into it.

“Synergy has made me think differently about the mates I’ve been chilling with and the people I hang around with. Now, I definitely want to try and get recruited to join the army, definitely going to try my hardest, and definitely going to stay out of trouble”

This experience isn’t unique amongst young people who’ve taken part in the Synergy course.

Feedback from them shows that they feel more confident about themselves, have a better relationship with the emergency services, and feel more positive about taking on new challenges, working in teams and taking on leadership roles.

Of the twenty-eight young people who have taken part, two have applied to join the army, two more have expressed an interest in joining, and one young person is talking to the fire service about a career with them.

PCSO Jonathan Akehurst led the course in Wiltshire with PC Lucy Wileman and was pleased with the results: “If we look at the first day, we had seven very individual young people standing outside of Warminster police station at nine o’clock in the morning.

“By the end of our five days together, we now have a team of seven young people.

“It’s been incredible to see them grow. The communication, the teamwork, the resilience, the relationship building with the police. It’s been incredible to see.

“I think it’s important for them to understand that they can do things and can be encouraged to step out of their comfort zone and work through any issues or barriers they have.”

Before testing their marksmanship on the laser shooting range and tackling a muddy assault course on the first two days at Warminster Garrison, the group were welcomed by Garrison Commander Lieutenant Colonel Royston Jones.

He shared his own experiences of growing up, and talked about the values he hoped the course would help them to aspire to: “I believe that the young people I initially briefed on day one of Project Synergy had grown immensely in just a few hours of the activities that the Infantry Team had laid on for them .

“They all seemed fully engaged and were working together as team . By lunch time I witnessed young men who had grown in stature and were willing to come out of there comfort zone , listing , learning and being respectful not just to the those in uniform but to the adults who accompanied them”.        

The young people, who were aged 13-17, then headed to Wiltshire Police HQ in Devizes, where they were shown equipment used by the specialist operations team, played an active role in a police dog training session, and took part in an escape room designed by the cyber crime team.

At Salisbury Fire Station, the group were guided by firefighters on how to use equipment to free people in cars following road traffic collisions and put on full breathing apparatus ahead of being taken into the “smoke house”

Vikki Thomas, Prevention Delivery Manager at DWFRS, said: “Seeing how this team of young people grew in confidence over the course was brilliant, and the crew at Salisbury really put them through their paces.

“We wish them all the very best for the future, and look forward to supporting other Synergy courses going forwards.”

At the end of the course, young people invited parents and carers to a presentation ceremony held at Warminster Civic Centre, where they were given awards to celebrate their achievements.

Andrew Griffiths, Service Manager Young People at Wiltshire Council said: “Wiltshire YJS are very grateful to the OPCC for funding this successful initiative and for all the partners involved in giving a group of our children the opportunity to experience these important services first-hand.  

“The feedback from those involved is testimony to the impact this had in changing perceptions, breaking down barriers and generating respect for those in authority. It is particularly satisfying to hear of children engaging and trusting the police officers involved as well as the interest in military careers which is especially relevant for the region.

“The consistent attendance and participation shows how they developed a sense of team identity and co-working with improved self-esteem and confidence - no small feat for a group that often feel excluded and stigmatised. We look forward to the delivery of future Synergy courses and building on this success.”

All young people enrolled on the Synergy course are offered ongoing contact with a dedicated police officer or PCSO to continue their progress.

Jenn Holton is the Neighbourhood Harm and Reduction Lead: "The positive results we're seeing from Synergy is testament to the young people who designed the course, and a credit to the young people taking part, who have entered the process with a willingness to try something new in order to make positive changes to their lives.

 "This shows what can happen when all services work together, and I'd like to thank our partners for embracing Synergy with professionalism and enthusiasm.

 "I'd also like to thank our Neighbourhood Policing Teams, who have provided their Youth & Early Intervention colleagues with tremendous support.

 "My team has worked tirelessly to make this happen and through our combined efforts, Synergy will continue to make a huge difference to the lives of the young people we meet."