Providing Safety Skills and Support At a Transitional Time
We checked in with Tom Peyton, the co-founder of Safety4Kids, to hear more about their mission to equip preteens with the skills to navigate challenging situations and stay safe on the streets.
Safety4Kids Co-Founder, Tom Peyton
CIC: Thank you for making the time to chat today, Tom! Firstly, could you tell us about your background – what experiences made you want to work with young people, and what led to you setting up your organisation?
Tom: After 30 years in international business, I set up my own consultancy focusing on corporate responsibility, where we always had a charity partner. When I retired I worked with 3 organisations that were generally child-focused, and so I was very aware of the difference that quality intervention can make in supporting children who are struggling with any number of difficult situations. In London, being aware of safety and how to avoid trouble is very important for young people, and I became increasingly aware of this working with young single mothers struggling to bring up their children safely.
Having worked with a number of organisations I wanted to set up my own to focus on getting things done.
My brother died aged five – no crime involved – and I want other children to have a better chance than that.
CIC: And so what problem – or problems – is your organisation trying to solve, and how?
Tom: Mainly making children aware of safety issues; how to avoid trouble, stay away from gangs, and respond to issues such as bullying or peer pressure.
CIC: What does this look like in terms of the products and services you’re offering?
Tom: We provide courses in schools to support children in their final year of primary and first year of secondary school. These are key transitional years for kids as they move from one school to the next – from being top of the pecking order to the youngest and smallest again – and we aim to help them prepare for and adjust to the new environment by building their self confidence, awareness and decision-making skills.
CIC: How did you hear about Creative Impact Club, and what was your experience like working with Aideen?
Tom: I saw your ad in a local paper, which I picked up in a local shop. Aideen produced a much improved recruitment letter, which we have sent out to 20 schools; we will run this letter again for the next academic year at the beginning of the summer term. Aideen was very helpful.
Safety4Kids is a CIC set up to educate young people on how to avoid trouble and stay safe on the streets: focusing on pupils moving from Primary to Secondary school as they adjust to new environments and communities.
Website: http://www.safety4kids.co.uk/home/