Thousands of children can now access online safety books thanks to a collaboration between a local business and North Wales Police. The year-long project saw sets of the books given to all 62 secondary schools and special schools with secondary provision across North Wales.
As a part-time primary school teacher, Chirk-based Laura Rowlands, who works in partnership with award-winning children’s publisher Usborne, prides herself on being able to match up an Usborne book to almost any child, occasion, or school topic. Back in 2022, with a child of her own about to start high school, the importance of two particular books aimed at secondary-aged pupils quickly became apparent to her.
Laura therefore set herself the challenge of making sure every secondary school in North Wales had access to copies of Staying Safe Online and Usborne’s Social Media Survival Guide.
Thanks to a chance meeting at an event she was attending with her books, Laura shared the idea with PC Dewi Owen of North Wales Police Cyber Crime Team, who took the idea back to his colleagues Dave Evans, Project Manager at The North Wales Police and Community Trust (PACT) and Phillipa Proctor from IT and business consulting firm CGI, who were able to provide funding to cover the cost of purchasing and posting the books to all of the schools.
The team involved recently got together to present the books to the headteacher and pupils at Ysgol Dinas Bran in Llangollen, with photographs very kindly being taken by former Dinas Bran pupil Ethan Gilbert who now runs his own photography and videography business.
The books are also available for parents to buy via Laura’s website www.lauraslittlesioplyfrau.co.uk
Main Picture: (L-R) Mr Mark Hatch, Headteacher; Laura Rowlands, Independent Usborne Partner; PC Dewi Owen; Phillipa Proctor, CGI; Dave Evans, Project Manager, PACT and Year 7 pupils at Ysgol Dinas Bran
Photo credit: Ethan Gilbert Media
Further info:
As well as specific projects such as this, Laura’s business – Laura’s Little Siop Lyfrau – can also offer a range of bespoke events for secondary and primary schools and nurseries including author visits (in person and virtual); sponsored read / listen events; book fairs and Community Book Pledges to help schools raise money for new books; a pop-up book shop at parents’ evenings; supporting the transformation of school libraries and helping schools to stretch their budgets further, whether that be for the purchase of jigsaws, educational games, grotto gifts, books relating to specific topics or books to read for pleasure.
Laura would also welcome the opportunity to attend any local school fairs with her pop-up shop, bringing beautiful books to your school community and helping to inspire the next generation of readers.
For more information about any of the above please email [email protected]
About CGI
Founded in 1976, CGI is among the largest independent IT and business consulting services firms in the world. With 91,500 consultants and professionals across the globe, CGI delivers an end-to-end portfolio of capabilities, from strategic IT and business consulting to systems integration, managed IT and business process services and intellectual property solutions. CGI works with clients through a local relationship model complemented by a global delivery network that helps clients digitally transform their organizations and accelerate results. Learn more at cgi.com