Showing off clean hands: back left, AFCB Community Coach Nick Clark, and right, Nuffield Health Bournemouth Hospital’s Chris Tickner with Year 2 pupils
The ‘Bug Busting’ team visited Year 2 pupils at Oakhurst Community First School to deliver a unique workshop in the hope local schoolchildren will learn how to stop common infections such as coughs and colds spreading, causing sickness and absence from school.
Bug Busters workshops are being delivered to schools by AFC Bournemouth and Nuffield Health Bournemouth Hospital. The hospital’s infection prevention lead Chris Tickner used UV powder and foam balls to demonstrate how easily bacteria can be transferred between people. After playing catch with the powdered balls, the students were challenged to wash their hands and put them under a UV light box to highlight any un-scrubbed areas.
After learning what makes bacteria potent, pupils were also treated to an interactive session with coaches from AFC Bournemouth’s Community Sports Trust team, playing games to show how easily bacteria can spread if hands are not washed properly.
Sarah Terry, class teacher at Oakhurst Community First School, said: “The children had a fantastic afternoon and the practical way the session was delivered really helped get the message across. They are still talking about how to wash their hands properly to get rid of all the germs.”
Schools interested in finding out more about Bug Busters can contact Steve Cuss at AFC Bournemouth on 01202 726342, or the Nuffield Bournemouth Hospital on 01202 702830.
