Students play major role in emergency
Aspiring actors from Trinity Catholic School have played a key role in helping trained facilitators respond to the psychological consequences of an emergency.
The sixth form drama students played the roles of college students affected by an extreme weather emergency, during a simulation exercise called ‘Exercise Langston’ which was staged at Shire Hall. The event was held by Warwickshire County Council’s Emergency Planning Unit to test the arrangements of Warwickshire’s Psychological Welfare Group in response to a major emergency.
Able to offer personal, social and emotional support following a major incident or emergency, the Psychological Welfare Group are trained facilitators who are on call to provide a county response. The group is co-ordinated through the Emergency Planning Unit and consists of psychologists, social workers, psychiatric nurses, bereavement counsellors, clergy, GPs and volunteers, and other staff who regularly work with children and adults.
The group have previously worked with a group of actors from the Talisman Theatre, Kenilworth, and other local theatre groups who were also involved in Exercise Langston. However it was the first time that the facilitators had the opportunity to work with young people.
Sally Lange, Principal Emergency Planning Officer, explained:
“We were really impressed with the performances that the students gave, they were all very creative in developing their characters and it added to the realism of the scenario. It was a great opportunity to work with the students as well as the adults to test the procedures.”
Alex Green, Head of Drama at Trinity Catholic School said: “It was a fantastic opportunity for the students to practice their skills and being in role for such a long time. It was good preparation for their AS practical examinations and the students really enjoyed it.”