Streetwise, the interactive safety site, Dorset UK

Streetwise is a registered charity: as such we do not need to make a profit,
but we do need to cover our running costs and allow for development

SAFETY TOURS

On a Safety Tour visitors are taken round the centre by volunteer guides who have been fully trained under the supervision of the emergency services. People in small groups spot potential dangers, learn how to reduce the risk of having an accident and how to cope in an emergency.

There are two types of tour - a General Safety Tour and a Specialised Safety Tour. General Safety Tours last approximately two hours and are currently suitable for 5 - 12 year olds in school or youth groups (cubs and brownies etc) or in family groups with parents. The Specialised Safety Tour can last up to two hours, and can be flexible in the number of scenarios covered. This type will be necessary for Special Needs Schools because they have a limited attention span and also for groups wishing to specialise e.g. the elderly with bogus callers at the door.

The tours help build the confidence to cope with the world and make learning about safety fun, memorable and most important of all - relevant to their everyday lives.

Numbers of visitors with similar requirements are matched up to maximise efficiency wherever practical. Visitor types will be taken into consideration when combining groups in this way.

Streetwise also offers Pre-School Safety Tours lasting up to an hour for children aged 4 years from playgroups and nurseries in the area. We have also recently developed a Safety Tours for Grown Ups and plan tours for Teenagers and Householders!

Streetwise General Safety Tour Operation Plan

Objective	Method
Briefing On arrival	Visitors enter the Briefing Area where there are rows of seats and are asked to sit down whilst they receive a briefing on Centre emergency procedures, health and safety messages and the tasks ahead.
Teaming up with Safety Guides	The visitors are then randomly formed into groups of 6-8 people and allocated a group Safety Guide. The objective is to break up existing grouping and develop new teams ensuring that children who may not have worked together before have to work together on this project thereby promoting a greater team spirit following a visit. Family groups stay together.
Enter the Centre and adopt starting points	The Safety Guide takes his/her group to one of the starting scenarios. The groups spend up to 10 minutes at each scenario -discussing what they see, identifying potential dangers, learning how to avoid the hazards and what action to take if things go wrong. The Safety Guide remains with the same group throughout the tour.
1. High Street	This scenario raises awareness of road safety issues including a pelican crossing, cycling safety and under age sales.
2. The Park	This scenario covers stranger danger, drugs and what action to take if drug-taking material is found, playing safely and vandalism.
3. The House	Within the house there are a wide range of safety messages covering fire and electrical safety, crime prevention, home safety and bogus callers.A practice 999 call will be made from a BT phone booth.
4. Dark Alley & Garden	Between the sides of the house and the back of a farm building is a dark alleyway formed due to an overhanging roof. The alleyway is poorly lit and uninviting. Personal safety, the fear of crime and grafitti are covered. Backing on the house is a garden with a shed, ornamental pond and garden machinery. The safety messages reflect the most frequent gardening accidents including water, unlocked shed and harmful organisms in soil.
5. Railway Line & Electricity Sub Station	An electricity sub station and a railway line is at the end of the dark alley. Messages include 'Keep Clear', a broken fence and crossing style, a 'live' rail and 'peer pressure'.
6. The Farm	Entering the farm via a farm gate, visitors will identify the dangers on a farm including 'hide & seek' and animal/farm equipment dangers.
7. The Heath	Environmental impact of unsafe and irresponsible behavior is covered. Fire Safety, Crime Prevention and heath conservation issues are included.
8. The Beach	Leading from the heath the importance water safety is covered with this scenario. The beach scene covers safety both on and by the sea.
9. Building Site	A construction site with all the dangers. Data from the HSE and Federation of Master Builders has been used to ensure that the hazards are realistically reproduced. 'Keep Out' message emphasised.
Debrief	Return to the Briefing Area for Debriefing on the tour's key messages. Everyone attending a Safety Tour at Streetwise receives a "Streetwise Attendance Certificate" personally completed by their Safety Guide and a leaflet pack containing a wide range of safety leaflets for further discussion. Every group organiser will have been offered The Parents and Teachers Study Pack - a 100 page book (free to schools and heavily subsidised to other groups) to read before they visit. The Study Pack helps the group leader prepare for the visit and introduces the Evaluation System they are encouraged to take part in.

How Much Does it Cost & How Can I Book

Streetwise is a registered charity and as such we seek only to cover our running costs and allow for some development of the centre.

The children's price for tours is £2.50 with adults at £3.75. Family Tickets are also available at £11 - this covers up to 2 adults and 3 children.

All tours must be booked in advance and are generally available Monday to Friday during the day, with bookings taken by special arrangement for weekday evenings or Saturdays. Simply call Streetwise on 01202 591330 during office hours.

The village itself and the Conference Room are available for hire to any groups or organisations wishing to try out some 'real life' training or simply meet up, away from the workplace, somewhere unique!

A session lasts up to three hours with start and finish times flexible. Complimentary tea/coffee are included and buffet catering is available on request.

The following prices are subject to VAT.
Conference Room: £45 per session £85 per day
Village scenarios: £120 per session £230 per day.