What is Blue EDGE?
Blue EDGE (Educate, Develop, Grow, Empower) is a holistic program run by Blue Light in partnership with Victoria Police combining physical training, mentoring and life skills.
Delivered twice weekly, Blue EDGE includes three key components: 45 minutes of physical training and team building fitness circuits; a shared meal; and a workshop discussion or presentation by guest speaker. Each week will be themed and the topics are often tailored to address current issues identified with the group. Sessions can include wellbeing topics, life skills and leadership.
The program is completed with a Longest Day Activity excursion and a Celebration opportunity with parents/guardians and police members.
Blue EDGE aims to reduce crime through prevention: building positive relationships between young people, their peers and police, and creating wider support networks for the young participants involved.
Each group will be made up of a mixture of young people identified as vulnerable and participants who display leadership qualities. The aim of this cross-section is to promote positive behaviours and attitudes, instilling a positive mind-set into students regarded as vulnerable.
The Program has been purposefully designed to take the group through a progressive journey of personal development.
SPECIFICS
- Year Level 7-9
- 8 week program delivered twice weekly – preferably with 1-2 days between sessions
- Total of 16 sessions per program
- Each program will conclude with a Longest Day Activity Excursion
- Each Program will have a dedicated Police Custodian with 2 members rostered to attend each session.
- Rostered staff and volunteers for the program must stay consistent – this will support the building of rapport for all involved.
- Sessions can be delivered as a before-school program, starting at 7.30am with fitness and concluding with a breakfast meal and workshop. Alternatively, in consultation with the school and the curriculum, programs can be run as a lunchtime afternoon program.
- Each session will include fitness, workshop discussion and a shared meal
- Depending on the location of the program (i.e. Gym centre), considerations are to be given to transportation to ensure the program is accessible for students.
Blue EDGE Program Objectives
- Instill mind and body discipline
- Build team cohesion, social connectedness and an awareness of their ability to achieve beyond their own expectations
- Foster a positive view of police
- Provide life skills and career education
There is no cost involved for the participants. Workbooks and other resources are supplied free of charge.
When funding permits, uniform will be supplied to participants at no cost and is for the participant to keep. The meals supplied will be hearty and will be at no cost to the young person, or their family.
More Information
Information flyer
Blue EDGE poster
Program Overview
Program Evaluation Summary 2019
Latest Blue EDGE Updates
- COVID IMPACT & Blue EDGE
- Safer Communities Early Intervention Grants
- Blue EDGE in Rural Victoria
- Charles Latrobe #1
