CHILDREN will have a chance to learn about how to respond in emergency situations during Junior Good Citizen Week.

Each year, a number of different agencies from cross Swindon including Wiltshire Police and Swindon Borough Council, work together to teach youngsters about situations which can end up causing injuries or accidents and encourage them to respond appropriately to emergency situations.

And During the week, which runs next week, they will also find out how they can help make their communities safer by being good citizens.

PCSO Mandi Coles, who has been heavily involved in the scheme, said a range of issues would be covered during the week in a bid to help people stay safe.

“The emphasis of this scheme is for young people to have fun while they learn about how they can keep themselves and those in their communities safe,” said PC Coles.

“This year we’ve a couple of new scenarios, these include K9 awareness (being safe around dogs), garden safety and healthy relationships. These topics are all things our young people will be involved in when at home or playing at the park. Hopefully this will help improve their understanding of how to stay safe and who to report things to.

“The Junior Good Citizen scheme has been going for many years and I really enjoy being involved in it. It has armed thousands of children across Swindon with crucial information about how to deal with dangerous and possible life-threatening situations.

“We work with several partnership agencies to offer a comprehensive scheme which encompasses as many different scenarios as possible.”

During a two-week period From June 1 to 12, around 2,050 Year 6 pupilsfrom 46 schools across the town, accompanied by teachers and helpers, will take part in the scheme.

The children are put into groups and then face different scenarios which are each designed to help them learn about personal and community safety. These include staying safe online, healthy relationships, railway safety, K9 awareness, garden safety, fire safety, personal safety and road safety.

The scheme, which will take place once again at the Punjabi Community Centre in Gorse Hill, has been running successfully for over 25 years.