Date published: 3 March 2017

Following on from the success of the Braunstone Blues joint initiative in Braunstone Leicester, it has been agreed to launch a pilot scheme in the Highfields area (Highfields Blues) which will initially run for a three months.

The Highfields Blues team, will be made up of dedicated personnel from all three blue light services and their main job will be to support the community of Highfields, encouraging them to be healthier, safer and more secure.

Research has shown that a large number of unnecessary calls are received by Leicestershire Police, Leicestershire Fire and Rescue and EMAS from residents in Highfields. By working with the community we want to reduce this demand by educating and directing residents to the appropriate services available to them.

The team will be engaging with members of the Highfields community and offering free home visits to discuss the health services available to them, fire safety advice with the option of having a fire escape plan tailored to the individual home and police crime/safety advice.

On the day of the launch, at Spinney Hill Park, there will be a number of attractions including:

  • Emergency service vehicles
  • Vista’s interactive bus
  • Fire and Police Cadets
  • CPR demos
  • Fire and police props
  • Face painting
  • Snacks and beverages.

We hope to see you there, Saturday 04 March, 11.00 - 15.00 near the playground at Spinney Hill Park.

Shelley Jackson, Paramedic working on the project, said: “Despite being early days for the Braunstone Blues scheme, in November we were shortlisted for a Health Service Journal Award and in December won a national Emergency Services Partnership of the Year award.

Shelley Jackson with a resident of Braunstone.jpeg
Shelley Jackson with a resident of Braunstone

 

“Having led the ambulance service section of the scheme in Braunstone, I’m now looking forward to replicating its success in Highfields where we know we’ll make a real difference to the people that live there.”