‘Life-saving’ New Vic Borderlines project to tour for third time

‘Life-saving’ New Vic Borderlines project to tour for third time

3rd November 2017

A ‘life-saving’ New Vic Borderlines project is going on the road for the third time to highlight the dangers of using mobile phones while driving.

Supported by West Midlands Fire Service, interactive drama Message Not Delivered will tour schools and colleges across Staffordshire and the West Midlands throughout November.

The hard-hitting drama uses the real voices of professionals from Staffordshire’s Ambulance, Fire and Police Services as well as family and friends of those involved in road traffic collisions, and tells the story of a group of friends whose lives are changed forever when they are involved in a road traffic collision. Following performances, students are given the chance to participate in workshops and interact with scenes, identifying changes that could be made by the characters.

Susan Moffat, Director of New Vic Borderlines, the theatre-in-the-round’s community outreach department, said: “We are thrilled to be touring Message Not Delivered for the third time and are grateful to West Midlands Fire Service for supporting this vital project.

 “This tour will see us visit more schools and students across Staffordshire and the West Midlands and will allow us to spread the word about how to stay safe while driving to even more young people.

“Borderlines works in response to issues communities identify. Through projects such as Message Not Delivered we have developed partnerships with frontline professionals who make a powerful difference and have genuine first-hand knowledge of the issues we are addressing, such as distraction while driving. With the help of our partners we are able to take our work around the county and make sure important messages are heard.”

Andrew Gillespie, West Midlands Fire Service, said: “West Midlands Fire Service is proud and privileged to bring the highly successful Message Not Delivered production to the young people of the West Midlands. Our Road Casualty Reduction Team has worked with colleagues from Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service and the New Vic Theatre to deliver a vital road safety message. We know that 14 to 24-year-olds are among our most vulnerable road users. It’s important that we convey the dangers of using a mobile at the wheel in a way that will appeal to and resonate with them and their friends. We hope that Message Not Delivered will have a real and lasting impact on everyone who sees it in our schools, colleges and universities, and helps to dramatically reduce the number of young people killed or seriously injured on our roads.”

The tour begins at Newcastle-under-Lyme College on Monday 13 November.

Message Not Delivered launched in 2016 with the support of Staffordshire Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Ellis and his Proceeds of Crime Fund. After the launch Mr Ellis described the project as offering “a life-saving message for young drivers”.


Article by Becky Loton

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