Media Centre

Thumbs up from Sefton schools for `Your Choice` conference: 19 February 2010; Pupils from schools across South Sefton were joined by Councillor Mark Dowd, Chair of Merseytravel, for a ‘Your Choice’ conference held at Bosco City Learning Centre.

Lead by Merseytravel through its Corporate Partnership Team, the ‘Your Choice’ conference is a multi-agency event which engages with year six (10 – 11 year old) pupils to explore the consequences of anti-social behaviour, enabling them to better empathise with and understand the issues experienced by the emergency/public services.

It also seeks to reduce incidents such as anti-social behaviour, bus & rail safety, fire safety, hoax calls, vandalism, graffiti, litter, dog fouling and internet safety, with considerable positive results.

Councillor Dowd said, “We have been holding these events for over five years now and they really do seem to get the message across when it comes to warning about the dangers and importantly, the consequences, of such things as antisocial behaviour.

“By taking part in the various activities, the students can see for themselves the effects of anti social behaviour and making hoax calls for example, and realise the devastating impact that such behaviour could have on them or a member of their family”

“I was impressed with the thought and appreciation within the workshop that the children portrayed, they were a credit to their schools”

Pupils from St Elizabeth`s, The Grange, Netherton Moss and St Benedict`s schools attended the event, which was funded by Sefton MBC, Environmental Protection Department, Community Engagement Team, who assisted in co-ordinating the day and had an input into the delivery of the workshops.

Director of Environmental Protection, Peter Moore said, “We want the young people of Sefton to understand that litter, dog fouling, graffiti & fly tipping are all anti social & are not acceptable.

“We want them to take pride in their area. It is hoped that the conference will have a positive impact on the pupils regarding environmental issues and anti social behaviour."

The agencies involved are Merseytravel, Merseyrail, British Transport Police, Merseyside Police, Mersey Tunnels Police, Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service, North West Ambulance Service, Park Rangers, Stagecoach and Arriva.

The ‘Your Choice’ conference day is unique to Merseyside and is now receiving national awards and funding.

The conference is devised in a way to accommodate a range of learning styles and follows the mind friendly learning cycle. The workshops activate learning and pupils are quickly engaged in the activities with the intention of making learning as unconscious as possible.

Picture caption – Members of Merseyside Police Travelsafe, Mersey Tunnels Police, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, Councillor Dowd and Sefton pupils.; Back to Media Centre