Putney School Girl Designs Wandsworth Fire Poster
inspired by the Wandsworth Junior Citizens Scheme
A dazzling and eye-catching poster, designed by an 11 year old girl from Putney to promote fire safety, has appeared on council-owned advertising sites across the borough.
Mary-Jane Farrell's colourful design was produced after she attended this summer's Wandsworth Junior Citizens scheme, which teaches young people how to stay safe and avoid dangerous situations in everyday life.
The scheme involves young people taking part in a series of "live action" scenarios to give them a better understanding of potential risks and then avoid them.
Recently introduced scenarios include lessons on how to steer clear of knife crime and how to spot danger signs while surfing internet chat rooms.
Other scenarios include teaching children how to avoid being robbed of mobile phones and MP3 players, how to tackle bullying and unwanted approaches from strangers, plus information about road safety, fire safety and first aid.
Other sessions highlight the dangers from drugs, alcohol and tobacco, of playing on or near railway lines, vandalism and graffiti and dangerous substances. There are also sessions on water safety and lessons in how to be a good citizen.
Mary-Jane, who attends Our Lady of Victories primary in Putney, was inspired to design the poster after taking part in a fire safety scenario.
Chairman of the junior citizen scheme Cllr Angela Graham said:
"Mary-Jane has designed a really fantastic poster to promote fire safety. We are delighted that it has adorned our poster sites across the whole borough. She should be very proud of herself for creating such a stunning and thoughtful piece of work.
Mary Jane is pictured above in front of her poster with the council's community safety spokesman Cllr James Cousins, borough fire commander Nigel Miles, junior citizen chairman Cllr Angela Graham and scheme co-ordinator Pc Ian Featherstone.
"Over the years 30,000 youngsters have benefited from our junior citizen scheme and learned how to react to a whole range of difficult and dangerous situations they may encounter in everyday life.
"They are given simple, easy to understand lessons on what to do if they spot a fire, how they should avoid playing near railways or too close to the river and what to do if a stranger calls at your door or approaches you in the street.
"And because the nature of the threats to children and young people can change over time, new scenarios have recently been introduced to outline the dangers and risks of carrying knives and what children should do if they spot someone carrying a knife. Another scenario also highlights the dangers that children face when they are using the internet.
"As well as these dangerous scenarios we also try and engender a greater sense of community in the children by offering sessions on how to be a good citizen and a good neighbour.
"We want all our young people to be able to deal with emergency situations, and also make a valued contribution to their local community through good citizenship."
The Wandsworth Junior Citizen Scheme is run by the council's community safety unit in partnership with other council departments, the Metropolitan Police, London Fire Brigade, London Ambulance Service, victim support and South West Trains.
The sessions are aimed at nine and ten-year-olds and are offered to every school in Wandsworth.
This year saw the scheme celebrate not just its 20th anniversary but also its success in becoming the first of its kind in London to be awarded a prestigious RoSPA accreditation. For more information about the scheme visit www.wandsworth.gov.uk/juniorcitizen or telephone Sue Yoxall in the council's technical services department on (020) 8871 6603.
October 31, 2008