Shrewsbury and Oswestry Crucial Crew, established in 1994, holds a two week event every June which is attended by up to 1,500 children and teachers from more than 40 Shropshire schools. The charity was recognised with the King’s Award for Voluntary Service last November.
More than 35,000 children have benefitted over the years and this year’s event, from June 2 to 13, will be held at Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings.
Participating children receive social awareness and safety training to teach them essential life skills at an impressionable time in their development. They learn about the dangers of drugs, internet abuse and bullying, speaking to strangers and the impacts of hoax calls, to name but a few topics covered.
The event also raises awareness of the dangers of the sea, water, electricity, gas, railways, poor hygiene, smoking, vaping, alcohol abuse and farm situations.
The charity aims to help children become more self-confident and able to make a positive contribution to their communities. Training is delivered by a range of professional partners and the content is reviewed annually to ensure that it reflects current needs and developments.
All of the children attending receive a Crucial Crew t-shirt, a goodie bag and a workbook, which contains 18 scenarios to help them.
Ed Glover, Salop Leisure’s marketing manager, said: “We think it’s important that the company continues to support Crucial Crew to teach potentially life-saving skills to Shropshire primary school children.
“We are proud to be associated with this fantastic charity and delighted that its important work has been recognised with a King’s Award for Voluntary Service.”
