Dozens of youngsters in Highbridge have been busy over the school holidays, creating crime prevention cards with an Easter theme as part of the town’s Dreamscheme project.
An Easter Card was designed by the committee featuring crime reduction advice inside and useful phone numbers on the back for easy access in case of an emergency.
The youngsters were invited to draw colourful designs and write messages on the remaining pages of each card.
Dreamscheme organiser PCSO Claire Chambers told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “The youths all worked for three hours, learning about what a distraction burglary is and then putting their designs onto the cards.”
“Between two afternoons and 46 young people, a total of 290 cards were made, which was over double what we anticipated, meaning we had to make a mad dash visit to the printers for more cards!”
The cards were then hand-delivered to 290 bungalows in the Morland Road, Pepperall Road and Marine Drive areas of Highbridge.
Each youth was responsible for delivering their own card, and they knocked on the doors of each property to speak to the residents and explain the Dreamscheme and the cards.
Claire added: “All the youths thought it was a really valuable experience and felt they had really made a difference.”
She added: “It was quite emotional seeing and hearing the young people speaking to the elderly residents, and on one occasion a lady cried because she couldn’t believe the group weren’t canvassing for money and simply wanted to do something nice to keep them safe!”
As a reward, the committee organised a fun day in St John’s School playing field. A climbing wall was hired from Ready2Climb and King Alfreds Sports Centre provided three staff to hold water games and sports activities. CrazyPlay also donated a Bouncy Castle, Boxing Ring and Soccer game for the day, which were thoroughly enjoyed.
Isleport Foods kindly funded catering for an outdoor picnic and the Di Mascio Ice Cream Van arrived at the end of the day to let everyone have a treat.
“We were also visited by John Alvin from Somerset Crime Beat and Anna Mudgely from Safer Homes in Sedgemoor, who each generously donated £1,000 to the group. A big thank you goes to them – they both seemed really impressed with the scheme and the youths were a credit to us, behaving brilliantly.”
“The day was great fun. Despite the overcast skies and rain in the last hour, the youths weren’t dispirited and continued to get themselves soaked on the water slide.”
“Their commitment to the scheme really shows that when young people are given the opportunity, they can do wonderful things in their community.”
Highbridge’s Dreamscheme has been set up by the Children and Young Persons Sub-Committee of the Local Action Team for Highbridge, alongside Highbridge Police. It involves young people aged 8-16 taking part in community work and in return gaining points that can be used towards day trips and other activities.
If you are interested in joining Highbridge Dreamscheme, see the official website available here.
Click here to see a photo gallery full of the latest Dreamscheme images
