Southend United Community & Educational Trust

Getting on with the Blues

Getting on with the Blues is an educational programme which aims to create safer communities in South East Essex. Targeting anti-social behaviour, the programme has been written by teachers and the content meets National Curriculum objectives.

The scheme has seen Southend United C.E.T. form a range of partnerships which include the Essex and Southend Local Education Authorities, Essex Police, Southend Primary Care Trust, Essex FA and South East Essex College. Having completed five pilot schemes for the programme we are now able to offer the initiative to all of the 161 schools in the Southend, Basildon, Thurrock, Castle Point and Rochford areas.

We have the capacity to reach 6000 Key Stage 2 (year 5) pupils each year.

Feed back from the pilot sessions has been excellent. Here are a few of the comments from Teachers.

“The children were very enthusiastic with all the lessons.”

“It raised awareness of antisocial behaviour which made the children think about their own behaviour.”

“A revisit each term would be great to reinforce the programme and lessons could be extended.”

Drugs prevention charity Mentor UK has created the Alcohol Misuse Prevention Awards to recognise organisations working with primary school children to prevent alcohol misuse.

Southend Utd’s ‘Getting on with the Blues’ project was shortlisted as one of the ten best of its kind across the UK by a panel of experts including teachers, health professionals and drug prevention specialists.

With the help of 4 pupils from Temple Sutton Primary school the Community Trust have produced a 10 minute DVD which illustrates how GOWTB supports alcohol misuse prevention. If your school or organization would like to view our DVD and see how the programme could be of benefit to your young people.

Please contact Ben Duncan at the Community Trust on 01702 341351.