Tuesday 21 August
2007
16.00hrs
A new DVD aimed at promoting fire safety to people who have
learning difficulties is due to be launched tomorrow by Lifeskills
at the CREATE Centre in Bristol.
The DVD, ‘Happy Birthday Penny’, takes viewers through basic
fire safety in the home and shows what can happen when fire breaks
out.
The DVD has been a partnership project headed up by the Bristol
charity Lifeskills and involves Avon Fire & Rescue Service
(AF&RS), The Misfits Theatre Company and Sky News. Part funded
by the Big Lottery Fund, the DVD is supported by an easy-to-read
booklet.
Making the message relevant to people with learning difficulties
is the main aim of the project and this has been achieved thanks to
The Misfits Theatre Company – a group of actors with learning
difficulties.
Phil Hale, Community Safety Officer for AF&RS, who also
plays a role in the film, is delighted that the DVD is now ready to
help save lives.
He added: “Tomorrow’s launch is the culmination of much planning
and hard work between many different groups who are all committed
to making our communities safer. This is a really different way to
reach people and we hope viewers enjoy watching it as much as we
did making it.”
Lifeskills’ Programme Manager Louise Salter has been the driving
force behind the DVD: “Each year Lifeskills at the CREATE Centre
has hundreds of visitors with learning difficulties pass through
its doors and this group is a key target for us.
“This DVD is another learning tool for reaching people who may
not be able to access this information by traditional means. This
has been an extremely worthwhile project and we’re delighted to be
celebrating its launch.”
The 25 minute DVD will be available from Lifeskills at the
CREATE Centre, it will also be distributed to resource centres and
via organisations supporting those with learning
difficulties.