A fresh look at student safety
Warwickshire County Council and partners are attending college fresher’s fairs in Leamington Spa and Stratford this week to provide safety information to new students.
Higher Education Students at Warwickshire College in Leamington Spa and Stratford-upon Avon College will be able to meet representatives from Warwickshire County Council’s Community Safety Team, and the county’s Young Persons Substance Misuse Service.
Staff from these services will be on hand at both campuses between 10am and 2pm on Wednesday 16 September. They will be offering informal information and support to students to help them stay safe, as well as advising them about the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse.
They will be armed with leaflets and free giveaways including pens, notepads, and key rings printed with contact details for further support services. Community Safety’s key message ‘Keep it safe, keep it hidden, keep it locked’ focuses on personal safety urging students to take care of their property and valuables. Meanwhile the substance misuse service will be promoting healthy lifestyles and talking to people about drugs and alcohol.
Cllr Richard Hobbs, Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio Holder for Community Protection, said: “Starting college is a big event for new students, and for many their first steps toward independence and moving away from home.
“We want them to have an enjoyable and safe time studying in Warwickshire and our presence at these fairs will go some way to helping them achieve this by providing them with information relevant to their lifestyles and personal safety.”
For more information regarding alcohol and drugs, visit http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/drugs or for further information about Community Safety, visit http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/studentsafety.