The rest of the world stood still.

For the last two days it seemed as though the rest of the country was focusing on delays caused by the predicted cold snap. To us this just presented a greater challenge to prove ourselves worthy Bushmen.

Boulder was hosting a Stone Soup course with Totem to provide staff skill updates. A Stone soup course allows each participant the chance to present to the others on a given topic and in our case to then promote discussion on best practise in delivery. Ten people presented on a variety of topics broadly summarised by: tools, shelters and fire, followed by the associated topics of safety, appropriateness and environmental considerations. What really surprised me was how much can be learnt from people you work with everyday if prompted in a suitably hosted atmosphere. Thanks to Sam from Totem for the idea and to all the hard work that went into the presentations.

Sparks being used to light fire.

Claire, Ivan and Matt making use of a wire saw during shelter building.

Claire and Kelly in what looked like a 1 man shelter for most.

Presentation Night.

Thursday night I was fortunate enough to have been invited to a presentation night for one of Merseyside Fire and Rescue Services EARLY courses. This was the second celebratory presentation I have been able to go to this week in Liverpool; both very heartening. Boulder Adventures delivers week two out of the Team’s 12 week development course. The EARLY courses are just like the Prince's Trust courses which the fire service also deliver. They are designed to improve the lives of the participants by building up confidence, reliability and personal motivation leading to greater employability prospects. In fact four of the team who had started the course had managed to find jobs so did not make it to the end of the twelve week course, a quicker turnaround than anyone could hope for - well done them.I am very proud to have built up such a productive working relationship with the fire service as the skills that our courses can highlight are so well reinforced by the rest of their hard work and values. I really feel we are part of something worthwhile. Hopefully I will be in the position to witness more of the remarkable transformations these courses can make soon.