Crucial Crew, the long-running safety education initiative, returned to Ipswich this month, welcoming 1,285 Year 6 pupils from 26 local primary schools over two weeks of interactive learning sessions.
Organised by Ipswich Borough Council’s Participation Team in partnership with key local agencies, Crucial Crew 2025 continued its mission to equip 10- and 11-year-olds with the knowledge and confidence to stay safe as they prepare for secondary school and greater independence.
Now in its 31st year, Crucial Crew has reached over 45,000 young people since its inception in 1994.
Held at Inspire Suffolk on Lindbergh Road, this year’s packed programme featured a wide range of engaging scenarios and workshops delivered by:
- Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service, with their ever-popular Fire Pod, simulating a smoke-filled room and teaching fire safety.
- Suffolk Constabulary, educating on anti-social behaviour and crime prevention.
- Lighthouse Women’s Aid, promoting healthy relationships.
- Turning Point, raising awareness of substance and alcohol misuse.
- Volunteering Matters, highlighting the dangers of criminal exploitation and gangs.
The Crucial Crew attendees participated in role plays and hands-on activities covering topics such as online safety, peer pressure, grooming, hate crime, and more. These sessions were also supported by long-time partners the Rotary Club of Ipswich, whose volunteers have helped ensure the smooth running of Crucial Crew for over three decades.
Pictured with some of the staff and volunteers at Inspire Suffolk, Mayor of Ipswich Councillor Stefan Long praised their dedication in teaming-up each year to improve young people’s understanding, awareness and life skills.
He said: “Crucial Crew is a great way to get important messages across to this age group. It was impressive to see how engaged and expressive all the participants were, and keen to be involved. Over the years, I’ve heard how much children gain from this experience - learning valuable personal safety lessons in a fun and memorable way.”
“It was thoroughly enjoyable to join them in some of the scenarios and exercises – the smoke room experience was certainly one of the most popular!
“So a huge thank you and well done to everyone who continues to make each Crucial Crew fortnight such a success. They all give their time to educate our young people on how to stay safe, as they make that transition to secondary school and the wider world.”
Before and after taking part in Crucial Crew, the students completed a safety quiz. As in previous years, results showed a significant improvement in their knowledge and confidence, demonstrating the effectiveness of the programme.
Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with many citing the Fire Pod as a highlight and describing their Crucial Crew sessions as “eye-opening” and “exciting.”