Play will teach children how to stay safe from loan sharks
A special interactive play will be presented to pupils at primary schools in Dudley and Worcester this month to help teach them about the dangers of loan sharks.
Pupils from Years 5 and 6 at five schools will watch a performance delivered by Crave Arts and funded through the England Illegal Money Lending Team (Stop Loan Sharks) using money seized from convicted loan sharks.
The interactive performance and workshop aims to give children the knowledge to recognise loan sharks and make safer, responsible financial choices.
Pupils will learn what loan sharks are and why they’re dangerous, how to spot the signs of illegal lending, what the safer alternatives are and the importance of speaking to a trusted adult about money.
They will also get the chance to design posters to share the information they have learned, with prizes for the winning entries.
Dave Benbow, head of the England Illegal Money Lending Team, said this was one of a number of community projects funded every year using money seized from convicted loan sharks under Proceeds of Crime Legislation.
“It’s fitting to use that money to help raise awareness and ensure the next generation knows how to stay safe from illegal lenders,” he said.
“It’s vital that we teach youngsters about how to borrow safely from an early age, that way we can help build their financial resilience as adults.
“We’re hugely grateful to Crave Arts for putting this play together and delivering this message to children in an accessible and fun format. We hope the children love it!”
Debbie Birch, from Crave Arts, a not-for-profit company, based in Worcester, said: “Storytelling can be a really engaging way to share important information with children. Our short play ‘Too Good to be True’ will be delivered twice - the second time round, the children get the chance to be directors and help the characters make good decisions to avoid becoming embroiled in loan shark activity.”
The play will be performed in February and March at four Worcester primary schools - Northwick Manor, Cherry Orchard, St Clement’s and Cranham. It will also be performed at Brierley Hill Primary School, Dudley.
Following the performances, schools will use Stop Loan Sharks educational resources, to help reinforce key messages in the classroom. These include lesson plans, activities, and guidance to keep conversations going long after the show. Information and advice will also be sent to parents and carers at home.
Stop Loan Sharks is a national organisation hosted by Birmingham City Council that investigates and prosecutes loan sharks and supports borrowers.
Loan sharks - illegal lenders – often appear to be a friend offering a loan as a favour, but they can add huge charges and use threats and violence if borrowers struggle to pay.
Anyone who has been affected by illegal money lending should call the Stop Loan Sharks 24/7 helpline on 0300 555 2222 or access support online at www.stoploansharks.co.uk. There is a Live Chat facility on the website and the team can also be contacted via WhatsApp on 07700 102773 from 9am to 8pm, Monday to Friday.
Stop Loan Sharks education resources are available through the website: stoploansharks.co.uk/for-education
