Junior Citizen event boosts safety awareness for hundreds of local children in Arun and Chichester

More than 800 young people from across Arun and Chichester have taken part in a major community safety and education event at Goodwood Racecourse.

The Arun & Chichester Junior Citizen event ran over two weeks, from 15 to 27 April, and was designed to help young people learn how to stay safe, make positive choices and understand the consequences of risk-taking behaviour.

Year six pupils, aged 10 and 11, from 29 local primary schools took part in the event, which brought together emergency services, local councils and partner organisations.

The interactive sessions covered first aid and CPR, fire safety and hazard spotting, stranger awareness, citizenship, railway safety, online safety, climate and environmental responsibility, and mental health awareness.

The event, coordinated by Child Safety Media, was led locally by Anton Mezzone, Station Manager at Chichester Fire Station, and was jointly funded by Chichester District Council and Arun District Council.

Station Manager Anton Mezzone said: “The Arun & Chichester Junior Citizen event is an outstanding example of what can be achieved when partners come together with a shared commitment to supporting young people in our communities.

“The event provided hundreds of year six pupils with vital skills which will help them keep themselves safe as they prepare to transition to secondary school and throughout their lives.

“By giving young people the knowledge, confidence and awareness to make safer choices, we are helping to reduce risk, challenge anti-social behaviour, and create stronger, more resilient communities.

“I am incredibly proud of the dedication and enthusiasm shown by all partner agencies and facilitators. Their commitment has ensured the event was not only informative, but truly impactful and memorable for every young person who attended.”

Director for Fire & Rescue, Sabrina Pennington-Down, also attended and said: "I really enjoyed attending the event and learnt so much from the many different organisations and hearing from children from the schools that took part – everything from mental wellbeing, safety – both physical and digital, anaerobic digesters and food waste.

“I would like to add my thanks to Anton Mezzone and the Prevention team who delivered some great sessions. I know this will have created lasting memories for all the young people who took part.

“As we look forward to the next time, I would also encourage more schools to take part as it really is a fantastic opportunity for children to learn some incredible life skills."

The event was delivered with partners including West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service, Sussex Police, South East Coast Ambulance Service, Southern Rail, Network Rail and Goodwood Racecourse.

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