A Birmingham-based charity has launched an innovative series of free workshops for children that use music and art to boost their creativity while teaching life-saving skills.
Conies Safe Explorers, created by The Conies Charity, is an engaging new programme that integrates artistic expression with important lessons about road, water, rail, and online safety, as well as home and garden hazards. The workshops are designed for children aged 4 to 11 and aim to make learning about safety both fun and memorable.
The sessions, led by Fay Goodman, founder and managing director of The Conies, are held at a purpose-built training centre at Masamune Dojo in Yardley, and are funded by the National Lottery Community Fund, ensuring that they remain free for participants.
Fay Goodman, who is also a highly qualified martial artist, personal safety trainer, author, and musician, said her inspiration comes from a desire to prevent tragic accidents: “It is heartbreaking to hear of children who have lost their lives in avoidable incidents. Road accidents remain one of the leading causes of child fatalities— and these are preventable deaths. Through education, we can equip children and their families with the tools to safeguard themselves. With increasing risks around road, water, online dangers, and accidents at home, now is the time to act.”
Conies Safe Explorers uses creative arts to help children understand safety concepts. Participants are encouraged to express their understanding through drawings, paintings, and music, including singing and writing lyrics. The creative process fosters not only safety awareness but also self-confidence, spatial reasoning, and collaborative skills.
Fay’s innovative approach to safety education has already seen success. The Conies’ Walking to School Safely course, which uses engaging, interactive methods to teach road safety, has reached more than 300,000 children since 2017. Conies Safe Explorers has taken this approach a further step forward, blending art and music with life-saving education.
Fay will also be a guest speaker at this year’s National Road Safety Conference at the Hilton Metropole Birmingham on November 6, 2024, where she will discuss safety challenges faced by young drivers. Her work with The Conies continues to inspire children to take safety seriously in a way that resonates with them.
She said: “Conies Safe Explorers will give children greater confidence and self-awareness while promoting respect and harmony in their communities. We are using creative methods that not only make learning about safety enjoyable for children but also leave a lasting impact on their everyday lives.”
For more details about Conies Safe Explorers and to make bookings, please contact Fay on 07976 426463 or email hello@theconies.org. All places are completely free of charge but subject to availability and demand.
The Conies is a registered charity. The website is at www.theconies.org.