Pupils learn how to stay safe from child criminal exploitation

DURING the Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE) two weeks of action, the ‘Just One Favour’ theatre production, delivered by ‘Odd Arts’, is returning to schools in Tameside.

The intentions of the workshop, funded by Tameside Community Safety Partnership, are to increase skills and assertiveness to recognise and disarm or avoid exploitation, and to increase awareness of support for self and others.

The revamped project plans to reach an initial minimum of 1150 students across the borough, with a goal to visit schools in all nine towns in Tameside, launching at Copley Academy.

After the performance is delivered, the students take part in a discussion to explore triggers, warning signs and vulnerabilities, safety planning and signposting to available support services.

The tour was delivered earlier on in the year, which was very well received by viewers, with feedback suggesting 98% of young people now know how to get support for people at risk of CCE. The script has since been refreshed to remain relevant.

A Tameside Council spokesperson said: “These are really important messages for our young people which will help to keep themselves, and their friends, safe and access support when they need it. The sessions are really impactful and I’m pleased we’re able to bring them to new cohorts of children,  equipping them with information and guidance to help deal with any issues that may arise.”

For more information about Just One Favour, click here.

For more support visit www.programmechallenger.co.uk/