The Warwickshire Way
During 2016 work began to redevelop the road safety programme for primary schools in Warwickshire and to create a commercially viable 'product’ that schools would value and that would attract external funding. The Warwickshire Road Safety Club was formed.
The new approach included:
- Researching, developing and implementing behavioural change techniques, using positive messages and engaging resources
- Introducing the latest co-operative learning techniques
- Extensively evaluating the new programme from day one
- Re-branding and promoting the Club to reflect the new-look programme and attract and engage schools
- Attracting sponsors to ensure a sustainable income stream
The new package of Road Safety Club interventions was launched in September 2017 and has rejuvenated road safety education in schools with extensive external evaluation and teacher feedback providing evidence of this. The modernisation has caused a positive reaction from schools and the model has now been taken up by another local authority.
Alison Williams, Senior Road Safety Officer, Warwickshire County Council
Alison Williams has worked in local government for 33 years and has over 20 years of experience in the field of road safety - organising and delivering road safety interventions and campaigns to both children and adults.
Alison developed and now manages the Warwickshire Road Safety Club for primary school children and Driving Ambitions programme for secondary age students.
Alison is also the lead in approaching the private sector to seek funding to support road safety education in schools and liaising with communities and partners to ensure continued delivery.