Interactive theatre is being used in a new initiative in Pembrokeshire designed to teach children about a range of social issues including drugs awareness.
Last year, at the Rotary District Conference, Gill Douset from the Theatr Fforwm Cymru based at Goodwick, stimulated much discussion with a presentation on the work her organisation did educating primary school children on the dangers of drugs and other temptations of modern life.
Following the conference, Gill was invited to give members of the Rotary Club of Tenby and invited local primary school heads, an after-dinner talk on the success of her theatrical approach to the problem of educating very young children about the dangers of drugs.
Everyone present was impressed and, as part of its ongoing support for the local community, the Rotary Club decided to seek financial support for a series of Drug Awareness presentations aimed at all Year 5 and Year 6 pupils in the local primary schools.
Western Power Distribution responded immediately with an offer to sponsor the initiative and the result is six sessions in local schools which should involve well over 200 children.
The first session - and the official launch of the initiative - was held at Tenby Junior School and was attended by a number of civic dignitaries, including Christine Gwyther, AM for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire.
"Other Rotary Clubs in Pembrokeshire have appreciated the effectiveness of Gill's work and have recently obtained their own sponsorship from various socially aware companies to provide similar presentations," said the Tenby club's president-elect Chris Sierwald.
"The county seems to be leading the way in the fight for our children's future, but of course it is an ongoing requirement which needs funding every year.
"We in Tenby are extremely grateful to our sponsors for their generous support, but as drug education is now a curriculum subject, we can only hope that future annual funding will be forthcoming from central education coffers."