This August, GMFRS colleagues hosted their annual TAKEOVER event, where partners from across Greater Manchester were invited into Bury Training and Safety Centre to engage young people with educational sessions on safety messages. This year, partners from TfGM, StreetDoctors, Wigan and Leigh College, Early Break and Catch 22 joined in on the action. 

Starting in 2024 supported by Op Challenger and colleagues in the VRU, the Takeover is now in its third year of delivery. This year with the support of colleagues from GMCA Complex Safeguarding hub, the Takeover expanded to include a staff Conference, ‘Growing up Online’ looking at Online Harms which included young people from the Reign Collective, placing lived experience at the heart of the learning. 

The TAKEOVER brings together partners that are looking to work with young people that are part of the social care system. This allows young people to get together in groups in a safe friendly setting and discuss personal and fire safety together. 

Six afternoons were spent with a total of 65 young people and support staff attending. Sessions included team building games with GMFRS Progression Coaches, fire safety messages from Prevention Instructors, educational sketches performed on the topic of child exploitation by Catch 22, substance misuse lessons by Early Break, and messages about safer travel on public transport from TfGM. Our friends at StreetDoctors showcased their Fatal Question campaign, which aims to dispel myths surrounding there being a “Safe Place To Stab” – you can watch the full video here.

With the support of colleagues from GMCA Complex Safeguarding hub, this year it was possible to expand delivery to include a staff Conference, ‘Growing up Online’ looking at Online Harms which included young people from the Reign Collective, placing lived experience at the heart of the learning. 

We are delighted to hear about the success of this engagement for young people and pleased that partners were able to engage with young people on these important safety messages, including topics of knife crime and personal safety. This kind of education is a key pillar of preventative measures when looking to reduce harm to young people in Greater Manchester. 

Article posted on: 16/09/2026 02:09pm