Southampton College, part of South Hampshire College Group, has hosted its inaugural ‘Be Safe, Stay Safe’ event; a special collaboration of local agencies and organisations who are dedicated to safety and wellbeing.
Key highlights of this unique event included an insightful discussion held by British Red Cross, an awareness session by YGAM and an informative talk by Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service. Students also had the opportunity to interact with many supportive organisations in the local community such as ROSPA, St Mary’s Church, No Limits and Hampshire Police among others. All attendees received a complimentary meal, while the learning experience was made more memorable through a series of educational games which transformed the College’s Hub area.
Greg Evans, Chief Tutors for Riders in Hampshire at ROSPA, highlighted the long-term impact of these events: “We’re planting the seeds for road safety in these young students, and we also offer opportunities for post-test training. Ultimately, it’s about staying safe and being aware to keep everyone free from harm.”
Thomas Gilbert, a Marine Engineering student, shared his positive experience: “The experience today was different – it just kept getting better as I discovered so many new things. The safety-focused activities at the agency stands were fun to participate in, and the workshop talks were really informative. It was a very good event, offering a level of safety education we don’t typically have, even back in school.”
Lorraine Wheeler, Campus Designated Safeguarding Lead at Southampton College, emphasized the event’s importance, stating, “Equipping our students with crucial knowledge, skills, and tools for their safety was the core purpose of this event. By engaging directly with a diverse range of organisations, our students gained safety-related information in a truly realistic setting. Through workshops, they developed a deeper understanding of how to stay safe, leaving them empowered to confidently seek further information from relevant agencies on safety practices.”
The event proved to be a resounding success among students, with attendees from a diverse range of subject areas such as engineering, creative arts and foundation courses. This enriching experience has helped students feel more informed, empowered and equipped to deal with potential challenges they may face during their studies and beyond.
