Elmbridge Junior Citizen 2026: empowering young people with vital safety skills

The Elmbridge Community and Safety Partnership held Junior Citizen at Sandown Park Racecourse, hosting almost 1000 school pupils between 12 and 20 January. 

The Junior Citizen programme is a fun and engaging way for children to learn vital safety lessons. Year 6 pupils from local schools had the opportunity to participate in several interactive safety workshops, co-ordinated by Child Safety Media. The workshops covered a wide range of topics designed to help the pupils learn vital life skills, become more risk aware and stay healthy and safe in the future.

Workshops were facilitated by:

• South East Coast Ambulance Service
• Surrey Child and Family Health (School Nurses)
• Network Rail/ South Western Railway/ British Transport Police
• Thames Basin Heaths Partnership
• Places for People Leisure
• Take the JUMP 

During the programme, the Mayor of Elmbridge, the High Sherriff and Councillor Kirsty Hewens, attended a showcase day to take part in the interactive sessions and meet the school children.

Councillor Kirsty Hewens, Portfolio Holder for Enterprise, Community Safety, Parking and Local Economy praised the programme:  

The Junior Citizen programme is a vital learning experience for our young people, particularly as they prepare to move on to secondary education and gain greater independence. It was wonderful to see so many young people developing essential skills to keep themselves and others safe within our community.

We would like to express our thanks to the Jockey Club, the participating agencies and their volunteers.