Haygrove students help launch Somerset Active Bystander campaign resources
Students from Haygrove School are helping to launch a new suite of resources designed to encourage young people across Somerset to become Active Bystanders and contribute to safer communities.
As part of last year's Active Bystander project, the Somerset Violence Reduction Partnership (VRP) commissioned a group of Somerset Youth Parliament members to work alongside Collaborate Digital create a range of marketing resources aimed at amplifying the Active Bystander message among young people. Three of these students are Haygrove students, Kieran, Layla-Jo and Ruby, and have played an important role in the project through their involvement in Youth Parliament.
Over a number of months, the students have contributed their ideas, feedback and experiences to help shape a collection of engaging materials, including videos, articles, audio content and social media posts. These resources are now ready to be released and shared with schools and communities across Somerset.
To mark the launch, representatives from Collaborate Digital and Youth Parliament visited Haygrove School on 16 October, where they joined students in delivering assemblies to Years 8 and 9. The sessions explored what it means to be an Active Bystander and encouraged students to recognise how they can safely challenge inappropriate behaviour, support others and help create a culture of respect.
Mrs Waller, Assistant Head at Haygrove School, said: "We are incredibly proud of Kieran, Layla-Jo and Ruby for the time, effort and thought they have dedicated to this project. It has been fantastic to see our students working alongside partners from across Somerset to create resources that will have a positive impact on young people. Their involvement demonstrates the importance of student voice and the valuable contribution young people can make when shaping messages for their peers."
Kieran, a Haygrove Student:
“When Youth Parliament was approached by Mark and the Violence and Crime Reaction Partnership with the idea of working together on the Active Bystander Campaign, we were so excited to work together on such an important project. Research shows 55% of adolescence would stay a passive bystander if they were faced with the situation. With the resources that me and fellow members made, we hope we can reduce this percentage.”
Cllr Heather Shearer, Lead Member for Children, Families and Education and Chair of the Safer Somerset Board, said: “It’s fantastic to see young people helping to lead this important work. Students have used their own ideas and experiences to create resources that will speak directly to other young people across Somerset.
“By giving young people the confidence to speak up, support others and challenge harmful behaviour, we can all play a part in creating safer, more respectful communities across Somerset.”
The project is funded by Somerset Council through the Somerset Violence Reduction Partnership and supported by the Safer Somerset Partnership, helping to create safer communities and positive opportunities for young people across Somerset.
