Young people in Andover asked to 'choose their own path'
A bus is visiting the town offering support to avoid making the wrong choices
Young people in Andover will be invited to hop on board a bus and 'choose their own path' this afternoon.
As part of Test Valley's community safety week the bus has workshops and activities aimed at highlighting the dangers of substance misuse and knife crime.
The bus will stop at various schools across the borough, including John Hanson Community School and Winton Community Academy in Andover, Test Valley School in Stockbridge and Romsey Community School.
There will be an opportunity for the public to take part and visit the bus, when the event moves to Andover High Street on Wednesday 16 March between 3:30pm – 5pm and again in Abbotswood Sports Pavilion on Thursday 17 March between 3:30pm – 5pm.
Alongside the bus, other organisations will be running activities and sharing important information during Community Safety Week. Organisations will showcase their work and engage with young people to help positively inform them of the dangers of criminality, drugs and gangs. The approach for the week is to educate participants and encourage questions, rather than lecture or penalise.
Community, Leisure and Tourism portfolio holder, Councillor David Drew said:
“Test Valley has a track record of working with local organisations to run positive events, such as this local Community Safety Week. It will be fantastic to see everyone join forces to highlight the dangers of substance misuse, knife crime and gang exploitation. I hope the week will be a great success and that those taking part will find it to be a valuable experience.”
Yellow Brick Road Projects is an Andover based charity that works with young people to educate them about life skills that can help to reduce their risk of harm and exploitation. Resilience Voyage are experienced in the use of interactive, preventative workshops and programmes to explore the way individuals think, feel and go on to behave.