Junior Neighbourhood Watch (JNHW) is a very successful and popular project package designed for 10-11 year old children (primary school Years 5-6), to enable them to gain an understanding and practical skills to deal with current neighbourhood issues, to make them aware of their personal safety and how to improve it.
We build upon the children’s already well-developed observation skills, which in our experience have been demonstrated to be far superior to those of adults!
JNHW has been created to:
- Show young people that they can make a difference;
- Encourage the development of practical skills, to address young peoples’ understanding of community issues and how to make their community a safe place;
- Help children grow into responsible citizens, ideally with families, grandparents and friends fully supportive of the aims and objectives of Neighbourhood Watch.
We recognise that children may be victims of crime today, and without proper guidance could develop into causes of crime in the future. We also recognise that children are great ambassadors to help spread good advice to their friends, parents and grandparents.
JNHW is designed to be run as a voluntary after school activity for one hour per week, usually for six weeks but some flexibility is available. Sessions are run by Neighbourhood Watch volunteers with help, where possible, from Sussex Police, local authority staff, county Emergency Planning staff and volunteer Magistrates.
We have received funding to expand the very successful pilot programmes, tried and tested in a number of schools so that it can be made available to every primary school in Sussex. We need more volunteers to lend us a hand from time to time. Free training and the support of experienced leaders is available. Helpers will be required to undergo an Enhanced DBS check, which we will pay for.
Interested or want more information? Please contact us on enquiries@sussexnwfed.org.uk.