Making a Difference

Achieving a Safer Community

Summer Activities Programme Builds Positive Relationships

The school summer holidays normally provide a welcome opportunity for families to spend time together and enjoy themselves.  However, for some families, the summer holidays can be a time of stress and tension, not least for youngsters involved.

This summer a number of partners services, including Grampian Fire and Rescue, Grampian Police and the Council's Social Services and Youth Justice teams, came together to provide an activities programme.  This was aimed at youngsters in S1-S3, who had been referred by these services for previous involvement in wilful fire-raising, offending in the community and/or behavioural concerns in school, including truancy and bullying.

12 youngsters took part in the programme which ran over six weeks.  The activities on offer included mountain biking, coasteering, gorge exploration, abseiling, weaselling, open canoeing and a three-day expedition.  Outfit Moray delivered the programme and provided equipment and instruction.  During the programme staff from the Fire Service, Police and Social Work took part, together building positive relationships with the young people.

The programme was a great success and enabled the youngsters to realise they have the ability and skills to relate positively to their own peer group and adults in authority.  Key discussion points included fire starting and the effect of fire on others, drug and alcohol use, how comments and behaviours affect others (notably their own families), self esteem and bullying.

"I really liked the summer programme, especially the people there.  I would like to go again with the same people.  I learnt that you could have fun without drinking or taking drugs."

"I learnt that everything is not an option, it's an opportunity."