Over 1,000 local school children have taken part in an innovative scheme aimed at preventing everyday accidents and dangerous situations.
Local schoolchildren who attended the Bee Safe initiative.
Organised by the Western Health Trust, the week-long event was hosted by Ilex, the urban regeneration company in The Stables Building and Ebrington Square with over 1,100 primary seven children from 30 schools throughout the Derry City Council area in attendance.
The Bee Safe initiative is co-ordinated by the Western Trust’s Health Improvement Department and funded by Northern Ireland Electricity.
Bee Safe is an imaginative way of teaching primary seven pupils how to prevent everyday accidents and dangerous situations and how to deal with them safely and effectively should they occur.
Children moved around seven accident themed scenarios in small groups over either a morning or afternoon session.
The initiative was delivered by agencies including Northern Ireland Electricity, the PSNI, Derry City Council, Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, Translink and Divert.
The sessions were designed to promote a high level of interaction and involvement from pupils.
Participation in stimulated scenarios in a controlled environment helped children to think for themselves and develop practical experience of preventing and coping with potentially hazardous situations as opposed to simply being taught about managing risk in a classroom.
Sarah Davidson, Health Development Worker with the Western Trust Health Improvement Department and co-ordinator of the scheme said the key to its success was the partnership approach to delivery of accident prevention messages.
She added: “Many organisations have given their time and expertise to highlight accident prevention and safety messages which could potentially save a child’s life.”
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