Scotland’s first purpose-built interactive community safety centre, The Risk Factory, will hold an open day on Monday 25 July to encourage volunteers to get involved.
The Edinburgh based centre, which opened its doors in 2007, is looking to recruit some new volunteers to help both children and adults deal with the dangers facing them in the outside world.
The Risk Factory ‘manufactures’ a variety of scenarios that replicate everyday life to provide the experience needed for people to deal with common dangers.
Councillor Paul Edie, Community Safety Leader, said the facility is "an integral part of delivering Edinburgh’s safety message to children".
"Volunteers play an important role in guiding visitors safely through the centre, giving them the confidence to deal with risks and dangers on their own," said Edie.
“The popularity and success of The Risk Factory could not have been achieved without the support we have received from numerous dedicated volunteers.”
Last year nearly 8,000 pupils across Edinburgh and the Lothians attendedThe Risk Factory. The majority of those were Primary 7 pupils, but the centre is also open to adults with additional needs who are looking to move towards greater independence.
One volunteer, Lynne Davies, said: “I have been a volunteer at the Risk Factory since it first opened. The excitement of the children when they first enter the scenarios area is catching and the opportunity to teach them extremely valuable lessons is very satisfying."
She added: “I also value the support of the other volunteers and learn from their own individual styles of presenting the scenarios. We have great fun sharing stories and anecdotes from the amazing things the children say or do. No two shifts are the same and it is the variety that keeps me coming back each year.”
The Risk Factory will hold an open day on Monday 25 July from 11am to 3pm for anyone interested in volunteering. Staff will be on hand to welcome anyone who is looking for more information about the role of a Safety Guide.