The Children's Foundation's Clown Squad deliver anti-smoking workshops in Durham schools
The Children's Foundation's Clown Squad has been delivering anti-smoking sessions in the durham area, engaging with children through the medium of clowning to address the issue of smoking, in a thought-provoking and fun way.
Through comedy, music and play, the Clown Squad characters enlist the help of the children in their 'Foolproof Advertising Agency' scenario, where they have been commissioned to deliver a promotional campaign focused around smoking and have no idea where to start. The children are recruited to help them develop and then deliver the campaign, raising a variety of issues about the subject of smoking.
The Clown Squad, a team of local artists working for TIN Arts in Durham, delivered 25 free sessions in schools including those in Bishop Auckland, Durham, Spennymoor and Chester le street.
Martin Wilson, Project Director of TIN Arts said:
"We are delighted to be using our experienced clown artists to empower the children of the north east to be able to talk openly, honestly and knowledgeably about smoking and the risks that it poses to health. We know that this is a key age to be talking to children about smoking, and by encouraging them to help the Clown Squad witih their campaign we are equipping them with confidence and facts to be able to discuss smoking with their peers and families."
Caroline O'Doherty, Operations Director of The Children's Foundation said:
"It is alarming that so many children in our region start smoking at such an early age. However, with our Clown Squad, we aim to interact with children and give them plenty of food for thought, so that we can discourage them from trying cigarettes and therefore reduce the number of children in our region who go on to have long-term health problems because of smoking."
The charity is asking anyone who wishes to make a donation to fund further anti-smoking workshops in schools to contact them.
