Calling all kids!  Join the fight against crime with the Safer Havant Partnership

The Safer Havant Partnership understands the importance of finding out what young people think about community safety issues in their local area and regulary takes part in the fun activities taking place throughout the borough, such as the brilliant annual Play Day event.

You can see this page to find out what is available for young people in Havant Borough and how under eighteens can get involved, get their voices heard and make a real difference in their local area.

Students pledge to be ‘Junior Citizens’ at partnership event

Havant Borough Council, Blue lamp Trust and Stagecoach bus company as part of the Safer Havant Partnership jointly sponsored the Junior Citizen event at Fort Purbrook this November 2011.

The Havant Junior Citizen event has been on the school calendar in Havant for more than 20 years, with 25 of the Boroughs Junior and Primary schools attending. It provides year 6 pupils (aged 10-11 years) thought provoking scenarios to raise awareness of community safety, importance of being a good citizen and how to cope and stay safe in certain situations.

This year was a great success with 24 of 25 schools attending. Scenarios included; RNLI for the first time, Fire and Rescue service where children re-enacted what to do in the event of a fire, Police, Environmental Rangers, Red Cross and Trading Standards.

The feedback from the children and teachers was outstanding:

 "Once again a great event that the children really enjoy. It is a hugely valuable session which supports & extends on teaching in school."

"Outstanding event enabling young people to become functioning members of society I'd like to see more like this."

"It was great fun and the best school trip ever!"

Link to further information on the Junior Citizen event >>

Link to an evaluation of the 2010 event >>

Local students show Havant pride on school trip

Pupils at Sharps Copse Primary School in Leigh Park have been presented with community safety rucksacks and pens donated by the Safer Havant Partnership in response to fifty hand-written letters that the class sent to their local council. 

The pupils were planning a school trip to France and wrote to the council asking for the Safer Havant Partnership branded rucksacks to allow them to represent their local area in style. Some of their persuasive arguments included:

“We will be representing the wonderful borough of Havant with your bags and we would be advertising Havant to the French residents of Cherbourg”.

Sandy Hopkins, Chief Executive of Havant Borough Council, joined the community safety team on a visit to the school to deliver the rucksacks.  Sandy spoke at the school assembly, letting the pupils know more about the work of the council and the role of a Chief Executive. 

Sandy also asked pupils to send her a postcard from their visit to France, which Havant Borough Council has happily received!

Get Motiv8ed in Leigh Park!

Local youth charity Motiv8 are planning to move to Greywell Heights on Park Parade in Leigh Park to be nearer to the young people who they work with.  They have been running a number of exciting projects with young people from the Leigh Park area over the summer months and are looking forward to continuing this work with a series of fun activities in their new location. 

Motiv8 have been helping to tackle anti-social behaviour in the borough over the summer months through a series of football-related activities.  In response to research and analysis from the Safer Havant Partnership, Motiv8 set up a six week football tournament with teams made up of local young people, staff members from Motiv8 and members of the local police team.  Hampshire Constabulary were so impressed with the commitment of the young people involved that they have donated £150 towards an upcoming fun event to reward those who took part.

Look out for the Motiv8 team in their new pad opposite the Leigh Park library this winter, where they will be running a number of fun activities for local young people. 

External link to more information on the work of Motiv8 >>

Are you or a friend worried or have a problem?

ChildLine is a free confidential helpline for children and young people in the UK. You can talk to ChildLine about anything - no problem is too big or too small. If you are feeling scared or out of control or just want to talk to someone you can call them on 0800 1111.

ChildLine also has a great website where you can get lots of information and have some fun with interactive games and badge making.  Follow the link below to the ChildLine website. 

External link to the ChildLine website >>

Fearless is the new youth brand that introduces young people to the service provided by Crimestoppers.  Visit the Fearless website to get information about crimes that affect you and for the opportunity to pass on information about crime anonymously:

External link to the Fearless website >>

Get involved with local groups and activities

Havant Borough Youth Council helps to give young residents a voice

The Safer Havant Partnership works closely with Havant Borough Youth Council to find out what young residents think about local crime and anti-social behaviour issues. Recent consultations include workshops on young people and alcohol and input in the partnership’s yearly assessment and plans for the future. 

The Youth Council meets monthly to discuss how their ideas and opinions can be heard and to meet with providers of services and projects to influence and inform how they should be delivered.  Harry, aged 12 commented: ‘The Youth Council has really made me feel that I get a say in what happens in society’.

Joining the Youth Council is also a great way to make new friends and discover skills you never knew you had, with regular social events such as evening meals and visits to activity centres.  Matt, aged 16 said:  “The Youth Council has really developed my confidence and has made me a more outgoing and sociable person”.

If you are aged between 11 and 21 and are interested in improving the lives of young people in the Havant Borough then contact Tracy Vear by telephone on 023 9244 6625 or by email at tracy.vear@havant.gov.uk

External link to Youth Beat website >>