Primary school pupils from across the borough’s schools came together to learn about active travel and train to become explorer ambassadors at a fun day on Wednesday 21 February.
The Transport for London explorer ambassador scheme, formerly known as the junior travel ambassadors (JTA), brings together a group of students who will promote active and sustainable travel as well as road safety to their fellow students.
The fun day event, held at Ealing Council’s Perceval House, was an opportunity for the young ambassadors to take part in workshops to develop skills to be able to create events and competitions, which in turn helps them build self confidence and public speaking skills.
The fun day included workshops to help them develop ideas for a ‘March in March’ campaign, encouraging more students to walk to and from school during the coming month.
The children, who came from 12 primary schools right across the borough, also enjoyed meeting fellow ambassadors from other schools and sharing ideas.
In the afternoon, they were invested into their new ambassadorial roles by the Mayor of Ealing, Councillor Hitesh Tailor, and Councillor Peter Mason, leader of Ealing Council.
Each received a certificate and their explorer ambassador badge, which they will wear as they go about the business of promoting active travel in their schools.
Councillor Peter Mason, leader of Ealing Council, said: “We are committed to supporting all of our residents to choose cleaner, sustainable and active ways of travel, so it was great to so see many new primary schools taking part in the TfL explorer ambassadors programme. Everyone can do their bit to contribute to a greener and safer Ealing, and I look forward to our ambassadors spreading the message on road safety and active travel to their communities.”
Councillor Deirdre Costigan, cabinet member for climate action, said: “ Tackling the climate emergency is one of our top priorities and we are determined to make Ealing carbon neutral by 2030, a huge ambition that we can only achieve with the help of our residents- especially our young people. Nobody is better placed than these ambassadors to encourage their class mates, parents and school community to think about sustainable, safe travel such as walking, cycling and scooting.”
This was the first fun day for the scheme since 2019, before the Covid pandemic. This year 48 explorer ambassadors from 12 schools took part in the fun day. The next event will take place in the autumn term, when we’ll be able to host more schools and explorer ambassadors.
The programme is supported by the council’s award-winning school travel team.
Ealing Council’s school streets programme is encouraging more children and young people to travel to and from school on foot, by bike or scooter. The programme works by closing the streets around schools to traffic at school opening and closing times. So far 24 school streets have been delivered in the borough, with a total of 50 planned by 2026.
