School children in Gateshead are taking part in a series of workshops to highlight the consequences of antisocial behaviour.
The pilot project, called ‘It’s Your Choice’, will see 150 kids from the Gateshead area learning about the impact of crime and vandalism on their local community. Fire, road and railway safety are also covered.
Safety on local bus services is one of the key themes during the workshops with a particular focus on the dangers of stone throwing, Metro trespassing and hoax calls.
Nexus is running the project in partnership with Northumbria Police, the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, Go North East, Gateshead Council and the North East Ambulance Service.
The pupils get to perform a play and write and sing their own rap song about antisocial behaviour issues. The aim is for them to learn how choices and actions can lead to a series of consequences, which can be fatal and result in prosecution.
An ambulance, a fire engine, police cars and a bus will be there for the children to see up close and to sit inside. They will get the chance to meet officers and staff and learn the importance of these vehicles and their use in the community.
A similar scheme is already being run in Liverpool. Nexus and its local authority partners are keen to see if it will be just as successful on Tyneside as it has been on Merseyside.
Nexus Schools Liaison Officer, Sam Keith, said: “This project is a creative way for the children to learn about the consequences of antisocial behaviour on public transport and in the wider community.
“The workshop activities are designed to engage with the kids and to make them think about the issues. It’s important that they also have fun. The play and the rap songs they have to come up with combine the two perfectly and they will learn a great deal.”
Inspector Paul Evans of Gateshead East said: “This project should provide an excellent opportunity to engage with young people in a positive way, helping them understand how antisocial behaviour can affect other people.”
Gayle White, Customer Care Officer for North East Ambulance Service, said: “We already do a lot of work with schools in educating children about the work that we do. When Nexus organised this event, we were delighted to support them. It’s important that children also have fun as this helps them to learn and we all hope this event is a success.”
Martin Harris, Commercial Director with Go North East said: “The consequences of throwing missiles at buses can be catastrophic and this workshop offers an ideal way to effectively get that message across. We are pleased to have this opportunity to work in partnership with others to build on our own work with young people.”
Gateshead Group Manager, Steve Stokoe, Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, said: “This is a great opportunity to work with children and young people to help them understand the consequences of certain behaviour, and to create a safer community in Gateshead as a result. We hope they will enjoy the experience at the same time.”
Cabinet member for children and young people at Gateshead Council, Cllr Catherine Donovan, said: “This is a great opportunity for young people to get together and make a positive contribution to the community.
“They will have the chance to learn all about the efforts that Gateshead Council, Nexus and the emergency services go to keep the area a safe and nice place to live.
“It will be an informative and fun day and I am looking forward to seeing their performances at the end of it.”
Taking part.
The school children taking part in the Its Your Choice project are all in Year 7 (ages 11-13). The children will be split into groups and rotate between each of the workshops throughout the day.
Workshop One: An interactive quiz based on ITV’s Who Wants To Be a Millionaire. The pupils answer strategic questions about each agency and its key problem areas. This includes how often to change a smoke alarm to the dangers of playing on a railway station.
Workshop Two: A drama workshop gives pupils the opportunity to create their own dramatic scenes. By acting out the scenes they get to understand how their actions can potentially get them into trouble and put lives at risk. Topics include hoax calls, railway safety, vandalism and fire safety.
Workshop Three: The rap workshop is hosted by rap singer Mat Soakell. Mat will be working with the pupils to come up with a rap based on issues related to antisocial behaviour.
Workshop Four: There will be a line-up of vehicles on the forecourt, including an ambulance, a fire engine, a police car and a bus. The pupils will get the chance to meet officers and staff and learn the importance of these vehicles and their use in the community.
Workshop Five: National education charity called Prison Me No-Way will give the pupils an interactive session about the final consequences of antisocial behaviour – going to jail. Serving prison officers will give a talk and show the pupils what life is like in a real life prison cell.