Young people learning how to stay safe as Safe Kids programme takes place in Renfrewshire

Thousands of primary six pupils are learning how to be safer in their communities thanks to a long-running learning programme.

Safe Kids has been running in Renfrewshire schools for nearly 25 years and helps to educate young people about a wide range of safety issues.

This year, children are taking part in workshops on issues, such as online, water and railway safety, drug and alcohol awareness, environmental crimes, the impact of antisocial behaviour, the dangers of electricity and how to respond in an emergency.

Coordinated by Renfrewshire Council’s Community Safety Team, it brings together local partners from the Renfrewshire Community Safety Partnership, including the Police, Fire and Rescue, British Transport Police, Scottish Power, RADAR, and the council’s Wardens, Youth Team and Civil Contingencies Service, to deliver a series of workshops to thousands of young people over a two-week period.

Renfrewshire’s Provost Lorraine Cameron visited the SMISA Stadium to check in on the activities taking place and see for herself what young people were learning.

Provost Cameron said: “It was great to be here and listen in to the safety messaging that our young people are being given as it’s so important they are prepared for all possible scenarios.

“Topics like online safety is an area that young people need to be particularly aware of as they need to be sure about who they are talking to online and recognise the dangers they could encounter.

“Giving these young people real life skills is vital and the Safe Kids programme has been making a difference in Renfrewshire for decades now.

“I hope all the young people involved take away learnings from the workshops and I want to thank those delivering them for passing on this important knowledge to our next generation.”

As part of the programme, young people were encouraged to create a poster for the event and the Provost chose seven winners, who were awarded a certificate for their efforts. The winners were:

• Mirren Patterson – Arkleston Primary School
• Iris Carey – St Anne’s Primary School
• Evie – Kilbarchan Primary School
• Isla Hampsey – Woodlands Primary School
• Lacey Water – Mossvale Primary School
• Erin Coverdale – Mary Russell School
• Payton Scarrow – Langcraigs Primary School

Councillor Marie McGurk, convener of the council’s Communities and Housing Policy Board, said: “Ensuring children have the skills to keep themselves safe, whether online or in real life, is essential.

“This educational programme of safety workshops has been going on for almost 25 years and continues to be just as vital as it was when it started.

“By hearing from our wardens, police and fire and other experts, children learn how to keep themselves and their friends safe and also be prepared if they find themselves in a harmful situation.”