* For photo opportunities please see end of this press release *
Over 1,000 children will be taking part in St Edmundsbury’s Crucial Crew initiative this year and will be facing challenging scenarios from fires and hazards in the home to water safety or anti social behaviour.
The event is held over two weeks and kicks off at WestSuffolkCollege in Bury St Edmunds on Tuesday 6 July. The programme uses role play settings to raise awareness of personal safety amongst 10 and 11 year olds and students with learning disabilities. The realistic scenarios are staffed by experts who show children how to deal with potentially dangerous situations to protect both themselves and others. This year there will be scenarios put together by the Police, Fire Service, Red Cross, EDF Energy, HM Railway Inspectorate, Local Health Partnership, St Edmundsbury Borough Council and Suffolk County Council.
Crucial Crew is run and funded by St Edmundsbury Borough Council working in partnership with a wide range of statutory and voluntary services.
Cllr Terry Clements, Cabinet member for Leisure and Sport, said:
“Crucial Crew is a brilliant way for youngsters to learn simple but highly effective ways of dealing with potential dangers that they may face in everyday life. The interactive and hands-on way of doing this means that students are more likely to remember what they have learnt and go away equipped with some very useful life skills.”
Cllr Michael Jones, St Edmundsbury Mayor added:
“We’ve had some really positive feedback from children that they take away such a lot from these sessions, so we’re really pleased to be rolling the scheme out again this year so that even more young people can benefit from this unique initiative. I’d also like to thank everyone involved in Crucial Crew for their contribution in the run up to the launch of the event and during the two weeks. Their efforts help to make Crucial Crew the success that it is.”
ENDS
Photo Opportunities
§ Cllr Terry Clements and the St Edmundsbury Mayor, Cllr Mike Jones, will be visiting WestSuffolkCollegeat 1pmon Tuesday 6 July. They will join STEPS students (a WestSuffolkCollegecourse for young people with learning disabilities) on the first day of Crucial Crew.
§ Cllr Terry Clements will also be at Crucial Crew on Tuesday 13 July from 10am (with IxworthSchool) and on Wednesday 14 July from 10am (with St James School).
§ Crucial Crew will take place at WestSuffolkCollege, the NEW Minden House (last building at the back of college campus at the rear of car park) Out Risbygate, Bury StEdmunds, IP33 3RL. Tel 01284 701 301.
For more information on other schools and dates, please call the Communications Unit on the number below.
ISSUED BY MARIA ETHRIDGE, COMMUNICATIONS UNIT, ST EDMUNDSBURY BOROUGH COUNCIL. Tel 01284 757033 email maria.ethridge@stedsbc.gov.uk
