Cowley Hill Fire Station Family Fun Events

Local families took part in physical activity, healthy eating talks and fire safety advice in the three events at Borehamwood Fire Station. Five local partner organisations came together to develop these educational fun events for local families.  

The project forms part of the Active Local work taking place in Cowley Hill - helping to reduce inequalities and create healthier, more connected communities. 

An idea from a discussion at the Active Local Cowley Hill steering group between a few partners developed into a fantastic project. A working group was created and the project evolved into something fun and worthwhile for families in Borehamwood. The partners involved all had the interest of the community at the heart of the reason for being involved. 4-4-2 Sports Ltd a local coaching organisation delivered the physical activity element. The Venue Leisure Centre provided an additional instructor and goody bags for the families including free family leisure cards. Borehamwood Fire Station hosted the events and provided lots of fire fighters for the children to look up to and talk with about all things fire safety. Maximus provided the healthy eating element and smoothie bikes which were a big hit. Active Local co-ordinated the project and provided funding where needed.  

Joanne Webber, Inspire All Sales Director expressed her thanks for being involved in the project: 

‘Being involved in this project has really helped us embed ourselves into the community and it’s been fantastic to be involved with such great community spirited partners. We were able to provide every family attending a goodie bag with offers and incentives including an Inspire All free family leisure card worth up to £98.00.‘  

 Ben Brookman, Watch Commander from Hertfordshire Fire & Rescue Service described the project: 

‘The free two-hour sessions gave children a taste of being a fire fighter. The day encouraged participants to take part in fire fighter specific physical activities including beat the fire fighter challenges. Everyone got to create some yummy smoothies on the smoothie making bikes and learn some great healthy eating tips. Fire Fighters gave fire safety presentations to educate the families on what to do in case of a fire emergency. The events ended with a fun fire engine tour, equipment demonstrations and hose pipe fun. The children loved the days and we really enjoyed being involved. The Partnership working has been so helpful for us as we wouldn’t have been able to bring this many families through our doors and encourage fire safety as well as booking our important home fire safety visits.’  

To book a home fire safety visit you can get in touch with the team here HERE 

The families who took part thoroughly enjoyed the experience, some quotes from participants below:

'Thanks for a great event, we've really enjoyed it' 

'I love my smoothie, it's so tasty and even better that I got to make it on the bike' 

'I want to be a fireman when I'm older' 

'This has been so much fun! I loved going in the fire engine.' 

The healthy eating and nutritional advice element of the project helped to promote the next Borehamwood Beezee Families course starting on 29th April. Each week, families will enjoy access to expert tips and strategies from nutritionists plus fun sports and games. To find out more and sign up to this free service, please call 01707 248 648 or hellohertfordshire@maximusuk.co.uk to secure your spot – spaces are limited! Eligibility applies, see website for details.  

The initiative forms part of the Sport England Supported Places work taking place in Cowley Hill, Hertsmere and Waltham Cross, Broxbourne - helping to reduce inequalities and create healthier, more connected communities. To learn more about HSP’s Active Local project and find out how to get involved visit the Active Local website.