Highland pupils learn how to be Safe Highlanders.
Around 3,000 Primary 7 pupils from Highland schools are being immersed in the challenging issues of community safety and crime prevention when they attend Safe Highlanders events in Inverness.
The Inverness event runs until 17 May at Cameron Barracks.
Councillor Drew Millar, Chairman of The Highland Council’s, Community Safety, Public Engagement and Equalities Committee said: “We hope to help every P7 child get ready for the major transition from primary to secondary school and to equip them in the knowledge on how to be a Safe Highlander. The Council’s Administration is committed to support our communities to be safer and stronger and this includes the younger members among them.”
Safe Highlanders is a nationally recognised partnership project which received the runner up award in sponsored by COSLA Partnership Working category at the inaugural Scottish Government Safer Community Awards 2010.
It is an educational activity based on a partnership approach, endeavouring to tackle challenging issues of community safety and crime prevention. Children attending the event can:
The Safe Highlanders project is based on the principle of “learning by doing” where Primary 7 pupils get their chance to experience a number of potentially hazardous situations and participate in a range of simulated practical exercises. Pupils acquire life-saving skills including first aid, fire and water safety, safety on roads and internet safety. Children are also be presented with the dangers of electricity, building sites and substance misuse.
The event’s objectives are:
The agencies involved in this year’s Inverness Safe Highlanders event are The Highland Council, Scottish Police Force – North Command, Scottish Fire & Rescue Service – North, Scottish Southern Energy, British Red Cross, Institute of Safety and Health, NHS Highland, Maritime Coastguard Agency, Fujitsu and Youth Action Service.
The event is supported by over 100 volunteers who escort children from one set of activities to another during the eight days event.
The Highland Council and all the involved agencies would like to thank all the volunteers for their support given to this year’s Safe Highlanders event.