HI i’m Jess. One of my previous high school teachers introduced the program Keep Safe Stay Cool, thinking it would be a great opportunity for me. The teacher got me to sit in one of their sessions, to show me what it was all about and I quite enjoyed it. It looked to be fun and set for a good cause. It also had opened my eyes more towards domestic violence and what makes a healthy relationship and I just wanted to learn more.

It’s been a real enjoyable experience and it’s not just some course, or class set environment when you are being trained. Everyone gets involved, has fun doing activities and talking to one another. My confidence has built up; I use to be shy standing in front of people doing presentations but know I stand with my shoulders high.

You get two SACE points for being involved, one after 50hrs of training and the other for 50hrs of presenting in front of students. The SACE points didn’t matter to me if I got them. I just wanted the opportunity to help out the community. It is one of the things I have always wanted to do and keep on doing in the future in the best way I possibly can.

Previously I had wanted to be a police officer and use this to put on my resume, to show that I worked in the community. But now my mind has changed a bit, instead I’ve been thinking about Social work or youth work, which this program is great for.

Overall, it’s a great experience and you yourself can have a chance to be apart of it. It’s easy and enjoyable as long as you put yourself into it. You learn a lot of new and interesting things, met more people and build more self confidence.

Jess