Posted: 05/05/11
Students' safety roadshow success
Students at West Nottinghamshire College have staged a safety roadshow focusing on the hazards that teenagers face.
It was run by public services students to raise awareness of issues such as road safety – including driving under the influence of drink or drugs and motorcycle safety – knife crime, fire awareness and the dangers of walking home alone.
They gave video presentations, advice leaflets and practical demonstrations to other learners during the one-day event, held at the college’s Derby Road campus in Mansfield on Wednesday (4 May).
The project was researched and designed by the students, who plan to persue careers in the uniformed public services such as the Army, police, ambulance, and fire and rescue.
It was supported by UK charity Drinkaware, motorcycle safety project Bare Bones, Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service and Nottinghamshire County Council's road safety team.
Matt Barnett, 18, from Southwell, produced a presentation about safety on the roads, using images from one of his friends whose car had been involved in a road accident.
He said: “It’s been interesting researching all the information to put our roadshow together and students paid attention to the dangers we highlighted – especially when they realised my research was based on a person who I know, which made them see how real the dangers are.”
Programme area leader for public services, Gail Soar, said: “This event was a great success and saw almost 300 learners from across the college visit the roadshow and take away vital safety advice.
“The students showed great enthusiasm in researching the facts and figures to put into the presentations and leaflets, and successfully engaged the visitors to their information stands.
“If they've managed to persuade just one person to think about a safety issue, then they will have made a difference to their lives.”
