Active Response Security Services based in South Yorkshire are receiving plaudits for a community initiative aimed at protecting primary school age children.
While the initiative is to be pre launched at Digital Media Centre in Barnsley, the benefits are available to schools nationally. It’s for use too in children’s museums, and Kidz Clubs and in shopping centres.
The idea was by Active’s Managing Director Michelle Bailey. She says: “Whilst death and injury on building and derelict/void sites amongst children is reducing according to national figures provided by HSE, the numbers are still shocking and we cannot afford to be complacent. We all have a shared responsibility to keep our children safe and this is a common danger that presents itself to us often whilst providing security on sites. We wanted to develop a fun, interactive way of educating our young ones on how to recognise dangers and avoid them. We decided to develop a series of HD Videos using a 3D animation character that could be used by teaching staff to engage children and alert them to varying dangers. Episode one deals with avoiding building sites and derelict/void buildings and will appear in Schools in early July 2016.”
The project is being fully funded by Active Response and has no cost implications to those wishing to use it to educate children. Animascot of London was engaged to develop the 3D character and design and produce the first video of the series.
Active Response, after engaging in focus groups, decided on a Bee character “Bee Active”, pictured. The character and story theme is light and humorous; and however highlights the difficulties someone could find themselves in when entering unauthorised or derelict areas. The pre-launch with special guests will take place on June 24.
Senior figures from South Yorkshire Police and local Members of Parliament will join other guests to support this Initiative. Dr Alan Billings, South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner will address the audience on the value of such initiatives.
Michelle Bailey added: “We have always been passionate about safeguarding and invest heavily in staff training, this initiative seemed the next natural step for us and we are very excited to be working in partnership with educational authorities – helping to get this message across. Building sites, derelict buildings may seem fun but conceal many hidden dangers.”
