Junior Citizens

Five hundred primary age children from 11 schools across the District were faced with some difficult real-life situations as they took part in Winchester’s Junior Citizen Event.

The event, which took place throughout the week, was aimed at helping children to stay safe by placing them in various simulated scenarios and teaching them how to deal with them. The youngsters were faced with challenges such as what to do if they see smoke coming under the bedroom door, and how to recognise ‘stranger danger’.

The event, which took place throughout the week, was aimed at helping children to stay safe by placing them in various simulated scenarios and teaching them how to deal with them. The youngsters were faced with challenges such as what to do if they see smoke coming under the bedroom door, and how to recognise ‘stranger danger’.

The activities took place at Worthy Down army camp and the scheme has already being heralded as a huge success. The event was led by officers from Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service with the assistance of the City Council’s Neighbourhood Wardens.

The activities took place at Worthy Down army camp and the scheme has already being heralded as a huge success. The event was led by officers from Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service with the assistance of the City Council’s Neighbourhood Wardens.

Organisations such as the police, trading standards, and the army all gave up their time to hold activities aimed at educating the children in a fun and memorable way.

Organisations such as the police, trading standards, and the army all gave up their time to hold activities aimed at educating the children in a fun and memorable way.

Lesley Batchelor, Neighbourhood Warden at Winchester City Council said: “It’s great to have the Junior Citizen event back in Winchester as It provides a great opportunity to train young children to cope with tricky situations. The children really enjoyed themselves and, at the same time, they were learning valuable skills which will help them throughout their lives.”

Lesley Batchelor, Neighbourhood Warden at Winchester City Council said: “It’s great to have the Junior Citizen event back in Winchester as It provides a great opportunity to train young children to cope with tricky situations. The children really enjoyed themselves and, at the same time, they were learning valuable skills which will help them throughout their lives.”

Winchester Fire Station Manager, Dave Turner, said: "The Junior Citizen scheme was a new initiative in Winchester and, during the week, almost 500 youngsters got involved. It gave young people the chance to face some of the hazardous experiences they may have to deal with in life, but in a safe and controlled environment”

He went on to say: "The children learned key points, including first aid, fire safety, road safety, range safety, consumer safety and personal safety. The Junior Citizen scheme is a multi agency project and we are thankful to all of those who have supported us throughout the week, especially Worthy Down Support Unit for the use of their premises and Winchester City Council Neighbourhood Warden, Lesley Batchelor. Finally, we want to thank all the young people who have taken part, hopefully they will remember what they have learned during the course of the week and help to make Hampshire a safer place to live."

Last Updated: Monday 27 March 2017