Young people in Cannock set to receive awareness sessions on community safety

An in-school engagement project will continue across the district to make young people better understand and respond to some of the most pressing community safety challenges.

The project has been funded by the Staffordshire Commissioner’s Community Safety Fund and the council has worked with Loudmouth Educational Theatre Group for the last five years to deliver the programme.

Through engaging and age-appropriate performances and workshops, students will learn about issues such as child sexual exploitation, grooming, exploitation into crime (including county lines and knife crime), extremism, and alcohol abuse.

The project aims to increase young people’s knowledge of where to access support and build their confidence in recognising the signs of safeguarding concerns.

By raising awareness in schools, the programme will help young people to make safer choices, strengthen resilience, and encourage a culture of openness when discussing difficult topics.

Councillor David Williams, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Leader for Community Wellbeing, said: "Every young person deserves to grow up safe from exploitation and harm.

“This programme equips our students with crucial knowledge about real risks they face - from county lines to online grooming, from extremism to domestic abuse.

"Prevention through education works.

“When young people understand these risks and know where to get help, they can protect themselves and look out for their friends. That's far more effective than only responding after harm has already occurred.

"I'm proud we're maintaining this partnership with Loudmouth. It's exactly the kind of early intervention that builds safer, stronger communities - giving our young people the tools and confidence they need before they become vulnerable.”

Chris Cowan, Director at Loudmouth said: “We’re delighted to have been commissioned to repeat this important tour, following the success of last year’s programmes across schools in the Cannock Chase area.

“Reaching over 1,400 young people through live performances, workshops, and our Press & Play resources, we were able to support vital learning around issues like child exploitation, extremism, and staying safe.

“The positive engagement from both mainstream and non-mainstream settings showed the real impact of using drama to open up difficult conversations and we look forward to building on that success in the year ahead.”