Allison Franks

Safeside - West Midlands Fire Service

Safeside at Eastside and Safeside at Handsworth are two experiential learning centres that provide innovative, interactive and enjoyable learning environments, inspiring visitors to think and act safely. Our full sized street scene at Eastside includes a working pedestrian crossing, double decker bus, building society branch, shop, car, canal, court room, police station, house and much more. Key issues such as road, fire and water safety are covered alongside input on vandalism, drugs and alcohol, financial awareness, what to do in an emergency and other lifeskills for independent living. Our smaller centre at Handsworth is situated next to a working Fire Station and provides a focus on fire safety and the work of the Fire Service. Both centres are owned and managed by West Midlands Fire Service with strong support from partners such as Nationwide Building Society, Centro, Network Rail, National Express, Safer Travel Police, West Midlands Ambulance Service and the Midlands Co-op.