Local cadet organisations joined forces to offer a full day of activities to Tanfield School, Stanley, County Durham. The event organised by the Stanley Area Action Partnership (AAP) was designed to reduce Anti-Social behaviour around the Stanley area by giving the students an insight into the fantastic cadet opportunities available in their area. The day was arranged by John Ullathorne who is the chair of the Stanley AAP and also a Cadet Forces Adult Volunteer with the RAF Air Cadets.
The event, aimed at around 160 Year 8 students, was packed full of fun interactive activities from each of the key partner agencies and cadet groups, which gave them a taster into some of the activities available them should they join a Cadet group.
Traditionally Cadet groups have gone into schools and had an hour or so presenting in an assembly to try and recruit cadets. This was something completely different. This was a full takeover of a year group for a full day of interaction. With representatives from the Royal Air Force Air Cadets (RAFAC), Durham Army Cadet Force (ACF), Sea Cadets Corps (SCC), County Durham Fire and Rescue and Durham Constabulary who all individually offer the chance for young people to join as cadets the students were never bored during the day. Student groups rotated around various workstations. Central and East Yorkshire Wing RAFAC offered interactive experiences with various flight simulation experiences and every student took a Virtual Reality flight in an RAFAC Viking Glider. They were also given an insight into leadership by the Team.
Durham ACF offered the students an insight into First Aid, Survival, Exercises, Leadership, life as an Army cadet and in insight into joining the Army. County Durham and Darlington Fire and rescue were there to demonstrate their fire appliance and the equipment carried by the crews. They were shown how to use the hose reels and the highlight for most of a lot of the students was the Smoke House. This is where the students were able to go into a dark smoke filled (Safe Smoke) structure to recover a casualty. Durham Police were there to talk about their cadet program and to demonstrate the equipment used by local policing such as Drones, Bikes and Riot equipment. They were also joined by an Armed Response vehicle who were there to show the weapons and equipment used by the Armed Police. The day finished with a Road safety demonstration from County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue service where they demonstrated how to safely remove casualties from a road traffic collision and demonstrated their skill in removing the roof off a vehicle in order to aid the rescue of any casualties.
There to experience and see first-hand what was on offer was the Leader of Durham County Council Joan Nicholson and Mayor of Durham Lesley Marvin. Local MP Kevan Jones was also in attendance to see the fantastic activities on offer. He later said “This is a great initiative involving the Stanley AAP and Durham County Council to engage young people in the area in local Cadets, well done to all involved”.
This turned out to be a very successful day with students, staff, guests, and volunteers having a fantastic day showcasing what local cadet groups have to offer young people. This is the first of an event like this to be held anywhere in the UK and has set the blueprint for future such events to be held.
Event Organiser John Ullathorne said “This has been a truly fantastic day. We wanted to sign post and encourage the students to be the best they can in everything they do. This is an experience they will never forget. We hope that by doing this they chose the right paths in their lives and stay clear of Anti-Social behaviour by joining one of the cadet groups on offer. The coming together of these groups creates a unique and exiting atmosphere that is both engaging and educational”.