Each year in May, nearly 700 pupils from Bishop’s Stortford, Sawbridgeworth and nearby village Primary schools visit The St. Barnabas Centre in Thorley to take part in our highly successful ‘Crucial Crew’.
The Year 6 pupils take part in a variety of interactive scenarios about personal safety. Expert volunteers give vital information and guidance on a range of topics including e-safety, first-aid, dangerous substances, road safety, fire safety and managing money. The children also visit a Thirst Café stand where they enjoy refreshments and an opportunity to find out more about the café in the town – a great place to socialise and meet friends after school in a safe space.
One workshop is run by GCSE drama students from Local Schools who act scenes about bullying and the importance of inclusion.
Crucial Crew encourages pupils to become independent and to make healthy choices. It teaches them to recognise dangers and to understand what to do when they feel unsafe
The Year 6 pupils take part in a variety of interactive scenarios about personal safety. Expert volunteers give vital information and guidance on a range of topics including e-safety, first-aid, dangerous substances, road safety, fire safety and managing money. The children also visit a Thirst Café stand where they enjoy refreshments and an opportunity to find out more about the café in the town – a great place to socialise and meet friends after school in a safe space.
One workshop is run by GCSE drama students from Local Schools who act scenes about bullying and the importance of inclusion.
Crucial Crew encourages pupils to become independent and to make healthy choices. It teaches them to recognise dangers and to understand what to do when they feel unsafe
"Crucial Crew was an amazing experience! My favourite activity was road safety because you need to be aware of the roads."
"I loved the police activity at Crucial Crew because I actually got into a police van!"
"AMAZING! My favourite thing was the Thirst Café because we had a nice time chatting about what was wrong with the world."
Subscribing schools and previous participants are contacted each Autumn about the next Crucial Crew event. If your school would like to join, please get in touch to see if we can accommodate your school. Sessions run for a morning or afternoon session in May (after SATS) for children in Year 6. Free to schools who subscribe to our annual SLA. There is a small per-pupil cost for non-subscribing schools.
If your organisation would like to volunteer for our Crucial Crew week - please get in touch! We're always on the look out for committed volunteers to support the week or run an activity. We offer lunch and refreshments to all our volunteers. We also welcome donations towards our running costs from organisations, charities and individuals. Please get in touch if you'd like to support us.