A NEW project to encourage a greater sense of community in one of Falmouth's most deprived areas has been launched. The SAFE (Street Activities for Everyone) project is a partnership between the police and fire brigade in the Penwerris area.

It provides activities for all ages which promote communication, leadership, team work and community awareness. Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) Julia Martin said: "The community safety team gave some funding to target a particular area deemed to be in need of a community boost."

She approached the fire brigade as they run the Phoenix project, providing courses with similar aims for youngsters at the station. But the point of SAFE is that it is not just for youngsters, but for anyone in the community.

Wheels of Fire

"We are trying to forge links between generations, bringing the community together," said PCSO Martin. The project was launched at the Dracaena Centre with a Wheels of Fire event.

Consisting of a skate and BMX competition day, around 60 youngsters signed up. Prizes were donated by local businesses. There was also an opportunity for young drivers to display their modified cars. Project sessions will be run by the Supporting Community Values team from the fire station, along with the Penwerris neighbourhood police team. One course for youngsters has already been run and there are plans for 10 more.

"We are looking at how it can be taken forward after that," added PCSO Martin. "If successful we are looking at mirroring it in other parts of Falmouth or Penryn." Course referrals can come from the community and the aim is to encourage people to "realise their potential".