
For over 10 years now I have been helping to organise the annual Crucial Crew event in Telford.
Although the advice we have given has often changed over the years, the aim of the event remains the same. Crucial Crew is here provide a fun educational event to give young people the practical knowledge to keep themselves safe before making the step up to secondary school.
This year has been no exception. And we have had over 2,300 year 6 pupils take part from over 50 schools across the borough. This makes it one of the best attended Crucial Crews in the country, nearly every school takes part.
A lot of what we teach would be seen as common sense by many people, the stuff that we take for granted. But they are often the crucial things we all need to know in life.
Such as: What do you do in a fire? What are the consequences of breaking the law? Why should you exercise often? And how should you to be safe around, water, electricity, the roads and more.
It’s worth taking the time to teach these things.
It’s harder to organise than you think. It takes me 9 months to organise but it’s so rewarding.
Each year, I notice how everyone who takes part has having a fantastic time, but also that they were learning every step of the way.
The year is a special year, as Crucial Crew in Telford is celebrating it’s 25th anniversary.
It’s interested to see that parents are now sending their children to the same event they went to years ago. I think that’s testament to how important the event is to keeping people safe. It’s still going and is well attended after all these years.
Join us at Crucial Crew this year we had people from:
- West Merica Police,
- Telford & Wrekin Road Safety,
- Samaritans, school nurses,
- Telford & Wrekin Leisure Services,
- Royal Lifesaving Society,
- Shropshire Magistrates,
- Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service,
- Western Power,
- Telford & Wrekin Public Protection,
- Streetkings.
I would like to say a big thank you to them all for helping to make this event happen.
Looking forward to seeing you again next year.

Have you been to Crucial Crew?
Got a good Crucial Crew memory? Let us know your memories in the comments below.

By Lyn Stepanian
Public Health Practitioner