Officers climb high for the children of their community!
Monday, 07 June, 2010
Officers from Chatham Safer Neighbourhood team helped a group of forty young people from Morningside Youth Group to enjoy a day out at the Stubbers' outward-bound centre, as part of a Hackney Council-led drugs awareness programme.
The young people aged between 6-10 years old were taken to the outdoor activity centre for fresh air, teamwork and fun in what was, for many, a rare chance to head out into the countryside. Four police officers and PCSOs from Chatham Safer Neighbourhoods team who had been involved in the drug awareness training sessions, also joined in the fun.
The children and officers all took part in windsurfing, jet skiing and climbing as part of the day. The day began at 9am with an early morning train journey out of Hackney for an exciting time in the Essex countryside. The majority of the youth-group attendees were from the Morningside and Gascoigne estates, and all had all taken part in a specially tailored drugs-awareness programme run by Hackney Council's Drugs and Alcohol team working with the Safer Neighbourhood Police from the Chatham ward.
Chatham Safer Neighbourhoods team worked together with Hackney Council, community safety staff as well as drugs and alcohol workers and local youth club leaders to create a drugs education package, which reflected the kinds of issues that young people from the estates may encounter in their everyday lives. Police and Council Drugs Workers gave workshops myth busting about common drugs and educating on the law.
Police Sergeant Louise Gill, from Chatham Safer Neighbourhood team, said:
"This was a fantastic opportunity for the youth group and their local Safer Neighbourhoods team to spend a day together in a team building, but learning environment. It gave everyone an opportunity to take on unique challenges and acquire new skills. Everyone seemed to thoroughly enjoy themselves and it was valuable for the youth group to socialise with the police in a less formal atmosphere."
Nicolette Nixon, Youth Leader from Morningside Youth Club said: "This has been a fantastic treat for the youth group. I know they've loved the a chance to get off the estate, have fun and learn a bit about what it takes to work as a team. It's also good for our young people to get to know their local police and council officers in an informal context - it really helps break down some barriers."
Cllr Rita Krishna, Cabinet member for Children's Services said:
"This day of outdoor activities is another way in which the council is working with the Police and youth groups in the borough, to help Hackney's young people to develop a positive sense of community and responsibility towards others, whilst building confidence in their abilities to create a healthy future for themselves."
