Pupils from Bedford Giving recently took an exciting educational journey aimed to better equip them with knowledge about the different emergency services. The project not only equipped students with useful skills – such as CPR – but helped them understand the long-term consequences of crime, especially when it comes to knives. The program was intended to give young people information that would help them save their own lives.
Dorotea, one of the participating students, shared how life-changing the lessons learned had been. “We’ve learned some really important lessons – lessons that could help us save lives,” she stated. She highlighted the profound impact of decisions made in critical situations, saying, “We’ve seen how one decision can change a life forever, and not just for the person carrying the knife, but for their families and communities too.”
Kacper inspired us with his own, extraordinary story of transformation through the experience of the program. He noted that it helped him clarify the type of person he aspires to be, specifically someone who remains calm and focused during challenging situations. Particular respect was paid for the emergency crews once Kacper learned their procedures on dealing with knife wounds at hospitals. “It was serious and sometimes quite intense to hear about, but I think it’s really important we understand it,” he remarked.
Ellie reflected on the diverse roles within emergency services, stating, “Some of my friends would now like to become police officers.” She focused on how the program affects students’ long term career goals. Students learned about the important contribution each profession makes to protecting and serving the public. Nadine said that the program really opened her eyes to new career opportunities. It further highlighted the specialized skills required for each occupation.
Students engage in hands on activities. Through the use of virtual reality headsets, they viscerally experienced what it’s like to be processed by police while undergoing a forensic post-mortem on a specialized dummy. Geethika emphasized the importance of teamwork within emergency services, stating, “It’s not just about action – it’s about helping people in their worst moments and staying calm no matter what’s going on.”
Patrick Downes, the assistant head teacher at Bedford Giving, spoke to the program’s holistic approach. He stated, “The sessions offered a rare and valuable insight into the challenges faced by emergency responders while equipping them with critical life skills and raising awareness of the consequences of crime.”
Dillon, another student, thanked the program for the experience and said it had a direct impact on his future career choices. “Some of us are now thinking about careers we hadn’t considered before – like becoming a paramedic or even going into forensic science,” he said.
