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GRAMPIAN SAFE TEAM PUTS SAFETY FIRST

About 2,000 primary seven pupils will quick march down to Gordon Barracks in Aberdeen this month for what promises to be a life-changing experience in staying safe on the roads, on school buses, when out with friends, in the home or online, thanks to the generous support of local energy firm Marathon Oil.

It may be a little known and shocking fact that children aged between 11 and 16 are more likely to be hurt in road accidents than any other age group and children of all ages are more likely to die in accidents than from diseases such as leukaemia or meningitis.

In fact, in Scotland, approximately 1 in 7 emergency hospital admissions of children occur as a consequence of unintentional injuries. Grampian Safe Team, the partnership behind the annual safety event is keen to cut these numbers by making pupils more safety aware in a fun, interactive and educational way.

As a result of Marathon Oil’s £10,000 donation, Grampian Safe Team will be able to go ahead for its 19th year, helping to take the health and safety message beyond the workplace and into everyday life at an early age.

Grampian Safe Team sees the schoolchildren taking part in simulated real life activities designed to help them learn about protecting themselves from situations which could result in them coming to serious harm.

The emergency services and organisations like the Red Cross, construction group Richard Irvin, utility company Scottish and Southern Energy and bus company Stagecoach will all play a part in making the day a memorable learning experience.

The event consists of specially adapted portakabins, each housing a different scenario with potential hazards which the children explore and interact with. These short interactive 'sets' are all delivered by professionals in their field, offering children of this age the opportunity to experience 'life events' in a safe, educational and fun environment. Importantly, the experiential element of Safe Team not only ensures the children have fun whilst learning, it also adds to the potential for long term retention of these vital safety messages.

This year there will be 9 sets including a dangerous flat containing fire hazards, a building site, a road and a school bus and an electrical sub station as well as overhead power cables.

The schoolchildren will take part in activities such as administering first aid and CPR, road accident investigation and escaping from a fire.

Pete Jones, UK Managing Director of Marathon Oil said of Grampian Safe Team:

“Marathon Oil is committed to safe and reliable operations, offshore and onshore in the UK. We are delighted to support Grampian Safe Team and help increase the safety awareness of young people in the North East through these interactive and impactful workshops.”

Emma Bellu, chief executive of Aberdeen Safer Community Trust, the organisers of this year’s event said:

“The purpose of these workshops and demonstrations is not to alarm or dictate what youngsters should and shouldn’t do. Instead, it’s about engaging them in a fun and thrilling way and giving them an experience that they’ll always remember. We all want to keep our youngsters safe and this way they can see the damage done when we aren’t aware of the risks and make bad choices.

She continued:

“Having real scenarios such as Stagecoach’s bus and Richard Irvin’s building site really brings the event to life, grabbing the youngster’s attention and getting them talking as they bear witness to what could be a terrible event. These hands-on workshops give the children a fun day out where they learn vital skills that they will never forget, to help them to grow up safer and wiser.”

Safe Team is also proud to have the support of local Gordon MSP, Alex Salmond, who added:

"There is nothing more important than making sure that our kids are safe, and this scheme does just that, by engaging children with fun to highlight serious safety issues. Grampian Safe Team has an extremely positive impact on the local community in the North East – raising awareness of risk and promoting safe practice.

"It is an endeavour worthy of great praise and the substantial efforts of the organisers should not be overlooked. That so many diverse organisations – from Grampian Police to Stagecoach – have come together to make sure kids in the North East are safe on the streets is testament to the importance of the cause at hand."

Grampian Safe Team runs from 26th August to 9th September at Gordon Barracks, Ellon Road, Bridge of Don. More details can be found on the Trust’s website at www.absafe.org.uk by phoning Aberdeen Safer Community Trust on 01224 646461 or by emailing development@absafe.org.uk

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