Melissa from our Communications team, attended the 10-year anniversary performance of the ‘What would you do?’ programme, sponsored by Bristol water and run by Crimestoppers and Unique Voice.
‘What would you do?’ was created in response to the growing issue of children being drawn into criminal activity in inner-city Bristol. Many in the community feel powerless to intervene. Through this programme, Crimestoppers, Avon & Somerset Police, and Unique Voice found a way to educate and empower children using drama, music, and storytelling.
Over several weeks, the children were challenged to imagine being in tricky situations, like hearing shouting from a neighbour’s home, seeing discriminatory graffiti in their community, or being asked to deliver suspicious packages for a friend. They had to think about what to do and how to make the right choice.
At the end of the programme, a performance demonstrated everything the children had learned, through drama, dance and music. Their actions - such as being neighbourly, reporting suspicious activities and showing vigilance - illustrated the importance of personal responsibility in building safer neighbourhoods for everyone.
Show time
Walking into the Bristol Beacon, I could feel the buzz of excitement in the air. Parents, teachers, police officers, and community leaders had all gathered to watch the performances. But at the heart of it all were the children - their enthusiasm, nervous energy, and pride.
I had the pleasure of meeting some of the children before their performance. They all told us how much fun they had taking part and how excited they all were to perform on a stage (most for the first time).
West Country Crimestoppers and Bristol Water have worked together on various projects across the area for over a decade to help families in our communities stay safe and feel heard.
The power of performance
With performances by Filton Avenue Primary School, May Park Primary School, and Oasis Academy Connaught, each school tackled a different theme: diversity and inclusion, street crime, and building safer communities.
Watching these young performers take the stage with confidence and passion was incredibly moving. With messages of hope, resilience, and change, it was clear they truly understood the importance of the issues they were portraying. The applause and cheers that followed showed how proud everyone was of their hard work.
Why this matters
Supporting programmes like ‘What would you do?’ gives young people the tools to make informed decisions and stand up for what’s right.
When young people are given the confidence to make positive choices, it creates a ripple effect that benefits us all.
At its core, the performance was a call to action, encouraging audience members to take accountability within their own communities by looking out for one another. Emphasising that vigilance and reporting are not just duties but acts of care that can profoundly impact community well-being.
Looking to the future
Leaving the event, I couldn’t help but feel hopeful. Ten years of ‘What would you do?’ has already made a significant impact, and this programme will keep inspiring young minds for years to come.
Here’s to another decade of making a difference!
More on the What would you do? programme: What would you do? | Crimestoppers
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