More than 100 young people took part in Takeover Day in Gloucestershire today. Of these, 25 are children in care.

Gloucestershire County Council Chief Executive, Pete Bungard, said: “Young people can bring something really positive to organisations like ours, offering a fresh perspective and ideas about how we can do things differently.

“I’m sure they will find it an interesting insight into the work we do. Personally, I jumped at the chance to let a young person take the reins here for a day. I only hope that my colleagues don’t want to make it a permanent switch!

“Young people can bring fresh eyes and ideas to an organisation and they have a great ability to cut through the bureaucracy. They have a great deal to offer and this Takeover Day will give them the chance to show themselves in a positive light.”

Cllr Paul McLain, Deputy Leader of Gloucestershire County Council, said: “I think this is a fantastic idea and I’m really looking forward to being involved. It will give young people the chance to experience the world of work, get involved in decision-making and influence some of the services that they use. I am sure they will leave us with a huge raft of new ideas and a better idea of how to do things.”

Tally Giampa, Head of fire stations & mobilising, Gloucestershire Fire & Rescue Service, said: “Ashleigh will be taking over my job as Head of fire stations & mobilising. She will have overall responsibility for 20 fire stations and Operations Control. Some of the day will involve day-to-day activities dealing with Station Commanders and visiting the Control Room to make ourselves available for emergency calls. There will inevitably be emergency calls during the day, so we will respond according to whatever the day brings. We also have a meeting with the HR Team to discuss the planning and format for the assessment of firefighters who wish to become Crew Managers. We will also be visiting the construction site for the new fire station being built at Shepard Road. Throughout the day, Ashleigh will have to respond to the non-stop flow of emails, do some problem-solving and decision-making on operational matters.”

Clive Pugh, Enforcement & risk team, Gloucestershire Fire & Rescue Service, said: “The day will consist of a general overview of the role of fire safety officer and what our obligations are relating to fire safety. A risk inspection has been organised for the morning, in conjunction with a fire safety audit. The risk inspection will be to gather as much information on the premises layout, building construction, occupancy and risks within, this information will be made available to operational crews should an incident occur at this premise.”

A young person who took part in a previous takeover day, said: “We are showing adults we are not just Saturday workers, not just hoodies, not just babysitters, school kids, troubled teens or yobs. We’re dynamic, talented, artistic, clever, hardworking and dedicated.”

This year, the Children’s Commissioner for England, Maggie Atkinson, hopes that 50,000 children and young people nationally will be part of Takeover Day. It is being held on Remembrance Day to encourage intergenerational understanding and the Royal British Legion is also supporting the day.