The Bug Busting team visited Wimborne First School to run a workshop helping children prevent sickness and absence from school, by teaching them how to stop common infections like coughs and colds.
Children learnt about the features of a bacterial infection and were schooled in correct procedures for hand-washing. Chris Tickner, Nuffield Health Bournemouth Hospital’s infection prevention lead, demonstrated how a UV light box could be used to reveal how some hand-washing had been ineffective, and to show which areas had been missed. AFC Bournemouth’s Community Sports Trust members were on hand to provide an interactive playground session, where children discovered how quickly germs spread if hands are not washed properly.
Miss Lynch, headteacher at Wimborne First School, said: “The Bug Busters team led an informative, interactive and entertaining workshop for pupils, and helped to show children the important role that hand-washing has in preventing the spread of germs. All of the children enjoyed the activities offered, and I would certainly recommend that other schools get involved with the initiative.”
Pupils also took in part a competition to design and create an informative poster for AFC Bournemouth’s football stadium, advising visitors to wash their hands. The competition winner’s poster will adorn the walls of AFC Bournemouth’s Goldsands Stadium. They will also have the opportunity to meet the AFC Bournemouth team, receive AFC Bournemouth tickets, together with a goody bag.
Nuffield Health Bournemouth Hospital and AFC Bournemouth are visiting as many schools as possible in Dorset to deliver the Bug Busters workshop. Schools interested in finding out more are invited to contact Steve Cuss at AFC Bournemouth on 01202 726342, or the Nuffield Bournemouth Hospital’s friendly customer services team on 01202 702830.