Leicester archaeology student shares passion for local history with fellow firefighters

A watch manager in the Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS) is helping other firefighters in the region to get involved with archaeology.

Aidan Phillips, who has worked for the fire service for 37 years, founded Operation Phoenix in 2022 after discovering a love of heritage and archaeology.

Operation Phoenix supports working and retired firefighters and fire staff from across the region to combat the stresses of the job through archaeology and traditional crafts.

The initiative was inspired by Operation Nightingale, which uses archaeology to assist wounded and sick military personnel in their recovery.

Operation Phoenix works with a range of sector-leading partners including the University of Leicester's School of Archaeology and Ancient History.

After working with archaeologist Professor Sarah Scott and colleagues, Aidan also enrolled on the University's distance-learning archaeology degree.

Discussing his inspiration for the project, Aidan said: “I have been a long-standing member of the NFRS wellbeing team which delivers mental health first aid to people who are suffering from mental health issues in the fire service, especially PTSD.

“I remember avidly watching Digging for Britain on TV and seeing Operation Nightingale coming up again and again.

“The idea formed slowly in my head that this would work for the fire service.”

Discussing the impact of the job on firefighter’s mental health, Aidan said: “Some people cope all their lives and it never really busts them up at all and some people, it destroys them.

“I can still recall every fatality that I have ever attended and every life-changing injury.

“You can’t see the threshold sometimes but when you cross that threshold and you are no longer in charge of those memories, it can be debilitating.”

He continued: “Operation Phoenix puts people in a completely new scenario that is non-threatening and often with beautiful surroundings and relaxed atmosphere.

“Whether you are digging, researching or creating, it disconnects you from your pain and allows you to focus on something completely new.”

Professor Sarah Scott is the Director of University of Leicester’s Heritage Hub which supports people and organisations to explore, investigate and celebrate their heritage.

Professor Scott is working with Aidan, Operation Phoenix and partners along the Nene Valley in Northamptonshire including, the Chester House Estate and the Northamptonshire Archaeological Resource Centre, near Wellingborough and Stanwick Lakes. They are also working with Breaking Ground Heritage, an organisation which specialises in using archaeology and heritage to support recovery and wellbeing.

Aidan said: “At some point, I’m not quite sure when, whilst we were working together, Professor Scott started saying how I ought to be doing a degree. I am knee deep in that now, two years into a six-year distance learning degree.

“Before this, I had been to college but you see, engineering is so totally different to archaeology. An archaeology degree is so much about words and understanding and interpretation as opposed to joining dots and doing maths.”

Professor Scott said: “It is a privilege working with partners and colleagues supporting Aidan to realise his ambitious and inspiring vision of a year-round programme focused on the rich archaeology, history and heritage of the Nene Valley.

The programme encompasses Bronze Age boat building, archaeological excavation, the investigation of archaeological archives and much more besides.

“The project has brought some amazing people and organisations together to form a supportive community of practice that is changing lives. We are delighted that Aidan is now pursuing his passion for archaeology through our distance learning programme, alongside his role with the NFRS.”

Learn more about distance learning at the University of Leicester.