THIRTY year seven school pupils at Chelmer Valley High School recently learnt about combating antisocial behaviour (ASB) after receiving Respect Your Life, Your Choice educational booklets.

Donated by Chelmer Residents’ Forum (CRF) Young Person’s Group the booklets cover 14 key issues and teach young people about how to recognise ASB, its effects on individuals and communities and how to tackle it.

Covering key topics such as bullying, racial harassment, alcohol drug and solvent abuse awareness, trespass, vandalism and crime prevention, the booklets also provide pupils with advice and contact numbers.

CHP resident and Younger Person’s Group Co-ordinator Ruth Jarvis said: “Antisocial behaviour blights many people’s lives whether it is through noise, vandalism or racial harassment, it can have an extremely detrimental effect on those involved.

“The booklets are a fantastic means for helping explain to pupils the effects of antisocial behaviour and, if they have been subjected to it, how they can find help and assistance.”

John Cunningham, Chelmer Valley High School Head of Vocational Education and Citizenship / Personal, Social and Health Education, added: “We have been focusing on ASB and many of the children have produced posters as part of a project highlighting various antisocial activities. The children have really enjoyed the lessons as the tone, colour, and images within the booklet appeal directly to them.”

In a bid to help entertain children with school holiday sports pursuits and performing arts pastimes, the Young Person’s Group is launching Engaging Young People, a sponsored activities project for 11 – 16-year-olds in the Chelmsford area.

For further information regarding availability of the Engaging Young People project, or an application form, please telephone the CRF on (01245) 613074.