An event that has shaped the lives of nearly three generations of young people in Telford and Wrekin is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.
The Crucial Crew initiative – led by Telford & Wrekin Council and funded by the Telford & Wrekin Community Safety Partnership – has equipped thousands of Year 6 pupils with essential life skills to help them stay safe and confident as they transition to secondary school and beyond. Crucial Crew 2025 gets underway today (Monday 23 June) with more than 2,500 pupils taking part.
Held annually at Telford College, the event brings together thousands of youngsters for an immersive, hands-on experience. Over a three-week period, children engage with real-life scenarios covering a wide range of safety topics from fire and road safety to modern-day challenges like knife crime, vaping, internet safety and mental health awareness.
Councillor Richard Overton, Deputy Leader Telford & Wrekin Council and Cabinet Member for Highways, Housing and Enforcement said:
“Crucial Crew has remained relevant for 30 years because it evolves with the times. We’re not just teaching children how to cross the road – we’re helping them navigate the complex world they’re growing up in.
“From the dangers of exploitation to the effects of alcohol and drugs, these are real issues affecting young people today. This programme gives them the tools to make safe, informed choices.”
Council teams that deliver the event include road safety, safer and stronger communities and public protection. Key partners who support include West Mercia Police, Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service, Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust, as well as organisations like The Royal Life Saving Society UK and NSPCC. Each year, the programme is reviewed and updated to reflect the most pressing safety concerns facing young people.
Children take part in interactive workshops, including wearing “beer goggles” to simulate the effects of alcohol and learning how to respond in emergencies involving water, electricity, or fire.
The event also tackles sensitive but critical topics such as stranger danger, exploitation and mental wellbeing.
Councillor Paul Davis, Telford & Wrekin Council Cabinet Member for Communities and Civic Pride said:
“It’s incredible to think how many lives have been positively impacted by Crucial Crew over the past three decades.
“It’s not only informative, it’s fun, engaging and memorable. Children leave with practical knowledge that sticks with them for life and that’s something we’re incredibly proud of.”
With 57 schools in the Borough participating this year, Crucial Crew is one of the best-attended events of its kind in the country and shows the commitment from the Council and partners to keeping it relevant and inspiring for the future.
