The young people learn about consumer issues in a fun way at school, take part in local heats, and the winning teams meet to compete in the semi-finals and final each June. They become more confident and informed consumers and also benefit from improved self esteem, team working and social skills.
These young people are a particularly vulnerable group and it is important that they become better informed consumers so that they are not taken advantage of. Most of the participants have never taken part in this kind of event before. This is the only opportunity most get to meet others like themselves from other schools or to travel to another part of the country, stay in an hotel or even see the sea.
This year the venue for the semi-finals and final is Brighton and teams from your area will be there. We'd be delighted if you could come along and see the quiz in action and report on it for your publication or programme before, after or from the event. We can arrange for you to talk to the children, parents, teachers, organisers or past winners.
This is an extract from a letter we received from a helper last year who brought along a team:
“One of my team, Jo, had a new suitcase for the event the wheels of which fell on the station platform in the Rhondda. When she showed me I asked her what she could do about it and she quoted me the three R’s... refund, replacement, and repair. She then went on to confidently tell me that she needed to find the other R (receipt) before going back to the shop with her mum.
This competition is a fantastic initiative; which I and the teaching staff feel has had a memorable and long lasting impact on the vulnerable young people from our authority who have taken part over the last few years. I would like to thank you and your team for arranging such a great day for the kids, they all really enjoyed it. I think that they not only learnt a lot from it, but it was a great boost for their confidence. Another benefit was that most of them had never been to the sea side before. Thanks ever so much for everything! The competition was wonderful and the students had the time of their lives.”
The Consumer Challenge Quiz is organised each year by Birmingham Trading Standards and is growing in popularity. In 2004, schools from just four local authorities were involved but by last year that figure had increased to more than 40, with teams from England, Scotland and Wales. The event's chair is Liz Barclay the BBC Radio 4 presenter.
If we can help you with more information or interviewees please contact ….. Liz Barclay on 07850 255777; Mike Gutowski, Acting Team Leader Consumer Education,
Birmingham Trading Standards 0121 303 9161 and see CCQ in action on YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkAgF5X-cas
