For the 2008 summer Operation Challenge we decided to collate all the information on the many activities running during the summer months and create an information pack to hand out to year 8 pupils in schools in the hot spot areas.
We included information warning them of the consequences of getting up to mischief and of the dangers around swimming in open water, such as canals.
In addition to the packs given out to schools in the hotspot area, packs were also given out by Wigan Council's Neighbourhood Teams as part of their targetted interventions with young people who have in the past engaged in anti social behaviour.
The packs contained a letter to each pupil and endorsements from Jenny Meadows (400m and 800m champion), Emile Heskey (Wigan Athletic and England footballer), and Sean O'Loughlin (captain of Wigan Warriors).
A group of volunteers from the Fire Service, WLCT, and Wigan Council stuffed 1300 packs for year 8 school children in 6 high schools in the hot spot areas.
The 6 high schools were:
- St. John Fisher RC High School
- Hesketh Fletcher CE High School
- Hawkley Hall High School
- Golborne High School
- Fred Longworth High School
- Westleigh High School
The packs were handed out by GMP's school based police officer; we didn’t manage to get to all of the schools in time and those schools we missed kindly handed out the packs and talked to their pupils about anti social behaviour.
Pack contents
Leaflets/booklets
- Kick litter in to touch bookmark
- Kick litter in to touch wristband
- Gum 'wrap-it'
- Pen
Freebies
Recommendations for next year
This was the first time we have provided packs for schools so we weren't prepared for just how much time it takes to put them together! We had a hectic few weeks and thanks to help from the Sports Development Team and Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service we managed to get them done in record time. The main lesson we learned was to give ourselves more time and plan the packs well in advance.
The schools were very positive about the packs and thought they were a great idea. We plan to do some evaluation of the packs with young people from one of the schools to find out exactly what they thought of the packs and what they would like to be in the packs for next year.
We've already have some ideas to make the packs better and we plan to have better freebies.
Easter 2009
Operation challenge will return at Easter next year and we are planning a mini-pack for schools.
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