Wealden is celebrating 25 years of Safety in Action, the innovative learning-through-experience partnership which has benefited over 16,000 Wealden primary school children.—Wealden Council, 27 May 2016
“The key to Safety in Action has been the ‘hands-on’ approach whereby Year 6 children can experience risk and are given training in what to do about it. They can still make mistakes, and stay safe. That can be invaluable as they grow up,” said Councillor Claire Dowling, Cabinet member for Public Health and Community Safety on Wealden District Council.
“We have seen some changes over the years to reflect how lifestyles have progressed. The old red telephone box from where children practised making emergency calls has been replaced by mobile phones. More of the scenarios now focus on getting the children to assess hazards and risks earlier. And some of the children have returned as adults to work at the project!”
“In 2012 we were able to expand the sessions from one week to two, covering the north of the District from the Bowles Outdoor Centre at Eridge and the south from Herstmonceux Castle, so that even more children have been able to benefit from Safety in Action’s character-forming experience.”
Safety in Action has always been a partnership project with the emergency services and other agencies giving their time, skills and equipment to help educate Wealden’s youngsters. This year there is a special focus on water safety.
“We are delighted to be involved in celebrating 25 years of Safety in Action,” said Alyson Zell, Aquatics Business Manager for Freedom Leisure. “As we draw ever closer to the summer, it’s vital that children understand the importance of being safe in and around the water. Our sessions will arm kids with knowledge to avoid unnecessary danger but, should they encounter problems, the skills to manage the situation and return to safety.”
Here are this year’s participants and scenarios:
- Sussex Police -road safety and personal safety.
- South East Coast Ambulance Scenario- dealing with a casualty.
- East Sussex Fire and Rescue- reporting an arson attack.
- Electrical safety- UK Power Networks and East Sussex Fire and Rescue.
- Southern Railway – safety near railway lines and at stations.
- Freedom Leisure – water safety.
- Sussex Downs College– alcohol safety.
- Wealden District Council – safety on a farm and in the countryside.
Wealden’s Safety in Action events remain the only children’s safety event in the South-East of England to receive accreditation from the Royal Society of the Prevention of Accidents.
This award commended the project for its excellent interactive teaching and learning methods, and was visited by HRH the Duchess of Gloucester.
The first week of the project this year will be held in the grounds of Bowles Outdoor Centre, near Crowborough, between 13 – 17 June; and the second week will be at Herstmonceux Castle between 27 June to 1 July. Both venues have generously allowed the use of their facilities free of charge.
Each child will be presented with a workbook to take back to school in order to reinforce the safety messages learnt. Uckfield Lions Club are sponsoring the main prize for the winning school, and Servomex in Crowborough are sponsoring the road safety award.
Funding for this event has been awarded by the Safer Wealden Partnership.
There will be a special presentation for the winning schools and to commemorate 25 years of Safety in Action on 19 July at 11am at Hertsmonceux Castle attended by Mr Michael Foster the High Sheriff of East Sussex and Councillor Chris Hardy, the Chairman of Wealden Council.
Image credit: Wealden Council
