AWARENESS AND EDUCATION PROGRAMMES

SUMMARIES OF TYPICAL, AGE APPROPRIATE, VSA SESSIONS

The following is a summary of what SOLVE IT can offer to children aged 10-11 and those 11+.

Each age appropriate session is tailored in content to suit individual needs.

The times quoted are for guidance only and is the minimum amount of time that can be allocated to provide an unhurried session.

In addition, as an alternative to a group session SOLVE IT can offer: -

Action4Schools
VSA Action 4 Children – suitable for 10-11 year olds
A Young Peoples Conference  - suitable for 11 years and upwards

Both of the above sessions need an allocation of at least three hours

VSA ACTION 4 CHILDREN PROGRAMME OFFERED TO YEARS 5 AND/0R 6*

The Action 4 Children project was created to give children more engagement with our work.  The Action 4 Children programme consists of:-

• A planning or introduction meeting with staff if requested
• A SOLVE IT Training session for staff if required
• A SOLVE IT workshop for children for year 6
• An ordinary education session for children in year 5
• A SOLVE IT Action 4 Children assembly for parents including other outside agencies
• A parent awareness evening if required

Head Teachers who have participated in this project have informed SOLVE IT that is has been very beneficial for the children and the school.

Many of the agencies who participate in the community events offer their services to the schools.  This enhances the school’s network of professional agencies they are able to call upon.

Session: Allow 3 hours for the SOLVE IT workshop for children to include a short break.

• The session will begin as in the VSA Programme offered to Years 5/6
• The children will then work on their choice from a variety of activities such as poster design, drama performance, powerpoint presentation, writing poems, or other possible ideas suggested by them or their teachers

A further 2 hour session no more than 2 weeks later is required for the Action 4 Children assembly for parents which will include stands etc from our partner organisations, along with displays of the childrens work that were started in the workshop.

VSA PROGRAMME OFFERED TO YEARS 5 AND/0R 6

Session 1 Allow 1 hour for this session
Resources Provided: Photographs
Introduction
Establish Guide Lines
Hopes and Dreams

Using photographs with examples of other children’s hope and dreams, the children will be asked what may stop them reaching their hopes and dreams.

Introduce Solvent Abuse by explaining that deliberately abusing aerosols gases and glues may stop some children reaching their hopes and dreams. 

Test the children’s knowledge and understanding of VSA

VSA Facts are discussed in relation to:  Health, anti social behaviour and crime and death

Case Studies are used to demonstrate the effects of VSA
Questions and Answers

Evaluation

End on a positive note

VSA PROGRAMME OFFERED TO YEARS 6

Session 2 Allow 1 hour for this session

Resources Provided:

Photographs (optional)	Model of a human torso with removable organs
Display Board (small)	Individually laminated consequences

Recap Session 1

Discover how much have the children retained from the previous session

The Consequences

Identify and explore the differing consequences for: - The Individual, The Family, The Community and Crime

Role Play  
First Scenario – What you can do if you are offered Volatile Substances
Second Scenario – The effects and consequences for the family
Third Scenario – In relation to crime
Questions and Answers.
Evaluation.
End on a positive note.

VSA SESSIONS OFFERED TO YOUNG PEOPLE AGED 11+

VSA in relation to death
The young people are given statistics in relation to the death aspect of VSA:
The three main ways that Volatile Substances can kill are discussed using case studies as examples
An age appropriate video or DVD will be shown
Discussion on solvents in relation to health
A discussion is held as to the possible reasons why young people may abuse volatile substances.
VSA in relation to accidents will be discussed using case studies as examples
VSA in relation to crime, prison and illegal drugs
A discussion takes place as to the reasons why we work in partnership with local prisons (photographs may be used in certain circumstances)
The session ends with prisoner’s testimony, which includes details of VSA, illegal drugs and crime.
Questions - Answers and Evaluation

VSA SESSIONS OFFERED TO YOUNG PEOPLE AGED 11+

All young people are encouraged to participate and answer the following questions. 

Example Questions:
Can you think of any reasons that might encourage young people to sniff?
Can you think of any reasons that might stop young people wanting to sniff?
What warning would you give to somebody that told you they might want to try sniffing?

Example Scenarios
You are on your way to school and you see someone from your class sniffing aerosols
Your friend comes to visit you and he / she brings an aerosol can saying you should sniff it to get high
You are at a park with a friend and you notice somebody sniffing, they seem very high and are acting dangerously
Question & Answers – Evaluation