CUSTTAD

The image is taken from a photograph of two figures which were placed in a sand tray by a boy who found it very hard to walk away from 'trouble'. The idea for The Walkaway Club came from him and from several other children who felt the same. 

Most of them did not like getting into this kind of situation but they felt it was weak - or others would think they were weak - if they did walk away. 

 And the Club used the following words  as its mantra. 

 IT CAN TAKE MORE STRENGTH TO WALK AWAY THAN TO STAY                             

We also explained that sometimes it is just as important for children to stay where they are and deal with a difficult situation. Learning which is the best option comes from experience and from getting help and advice from family members, teachers and friends.  Our initial focus was on the children who found it difficult to withdraw from or avoid confrontations. Later this was broadened out to include any situation in which a child felt under pressure to become involved in activities they knew or felt were ‘wrong’ 
                                                                                               

Funding for The Club was initially provided  by South Lanarkshire Children's Integrated Services and we used this to provide T-shirts and WALKAWAY Club membership CARDS.  It is no longer active but has not been given up on completely.