St Hugh’s Primary School pupils take part in community-focused ASB Awareness Week workshop

Last week, we joined forces with Oldham Council, Greater Manchester Police and Ucan Northwest to hold a positive behaviour workshop at St Hugh’s Primary School in Holts.

Year 5 and 6 pupils took part in the event for ASB Awareness Week. The workshop's aim was to prevent problems and give children the knowledge and confidence to understand their role in the community.

It also looked to strengthen partnerships, community links and support young people in making positive choices.

St Hugh’s headteacher Jane Lisic said: “Hosting this awareness workshop is part of our ongoing commitment to supporting pupils’ personal development and promoting positive citizenship.

“The interactive sessions explored what anti-social behaviour is, the impact it can have on individuals and communities, and the importance of making safe, respectful, and responsible choices.

“Pupils were encouraged to think about the consequences of their actions, develop empathy for others, and recognise the role they can play in creating a positive community.

“By working together with our partners from First Choice Homes and the local policing team, we continue to equip our pupils with skills they need to make positive decisions.”

ASB Officer Dominique Grimes said: "The session we’ve delivered at St Hugh’s has been about helping children understand their role in the community, where to find support and how their choices affect others. By bringing together housing, police, youth services and the school, we’re showing the strength of partnership working.

She added: "St Hugh's is at the heart of Holts and a wonderful school that understands the importance of community. We were delighted to visit."

Children who took part received a goodie bag, plus guidance for parents and carers to encourage early reporting of ASB. Walkabouts by FCHO neighbourhood coordinators and the ASB team have shown concerns about noise, abuse, drug dealing and drug use are often not reported early by residents, allowing issues to escalate.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) PCSO Tony Bowker, PCSO Martin Taylor, Ovid Eastmond from Oldham Council youth services and Steve Kenny from Ucan Northwest also took part in the event.

Other initiatives FCHO has undertaken during ASB Awareness Week include:

• a community coffee morning in Bardsley
• joint walkabouts in Egerton Street, Chadderton and Shaw with GMP,  FCHO ASB officers and neighbourhood coordinators
• district partnership meetings
• a resident question and answer session with GMP and Oldham Council on ASB in Stoneleigh Park.