Boredom 9-5 or Excitement 24/7?

Last updated at 13:19, Wednesday, 30 July 2008

An event entitled ‘Boredom 9-5 or Excitement 24/7’ was held in June at the Whitehaven Harbourside promoting training and education, employment and volunteering opportunities for young people.

Boredom 9-5 or Excitement 24/7’

The event brought together many agencies, both voluntary and statutory, staff had the chance to meet and chat with young people and families attending which provided a positive interaction and a sense of partnership and a common cause.

Sheila Sloan, support officer said, "We know from experience that some young people, predominantly in South Whitehaven, don’t consider a career in the emergency and rescue services, or access the training and educational opportunities that are available to them. We wanted to ‘showcase’ the opportunities that exist for them and give them the chance to explore life changing options in a fun and friendly atmosphere."

This event is the second of its kind and builds on the success of an inaugural event held in September 2007. The success of this year’s event means that we are likely to see it return again next year with the promise even more exhibitions and interactive displays.

Sheila said, "About 4000 people attended and we're naturally delighted, particularly as we experienced very heavy rainfall during the morning but thankfully after lunch the sun was cracking the pavement!"

The Whitehaven Harbour Commissioners very kindly supported the event by giving exclusive access to the Queen’s Dock carpark and promenade area free of charge and forgoing the collection of car park revenue for the day.

The Mayor and Mayoress of Copeland attended and took the time to talk with all of the exhibitors and were delighted to be included in the photo opportunities with all of the exhibitors.

Attending agencies and website links
Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service (who provided a casualty extrication demonstration and chip pan fire displays throughout the day)
Cumbria Constabulary – mobile police station: Road Policing Unit: PCSO’s: Special Constabulary and Dog Section.
St. John Ambulance
Young Cumbria
Lions Club
Community First Responders (who gave defibrillator and CPR demonstration)
Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team
ADT Security
British School of Motoring
Whitehaven Scouts
Air Ambulance Support
RNLI (one inshore and 2 offshore Tyne class lifeboats)
Rotary Club of Whitehaven
Connexions Cumbria
Howgill Family Centre
University of Cumbria
South Whitehaven Community Wardens
Whitehaven Harbour Youth Project
Copeland Leisure (sports activities)
HM Coastguard Rescue
Bouncy castles etc