Transport for LondonSafety first
Now imagine being able to do that for 100 children at a time and you will understand why Akosua Tseayo volunteers at Junior Safety and Citizenship events for London Transport Museum.
Accompanied by a mock-up of a bus interior and some sound effects to fire their imagination, Akosua works with local schools teaching children about transport and safety. 'It's a fun day for them, as we don't make it feel like they've been in school,' she said.
Akosua first got into volunteering for the Junior Safety and Citizenship scheme after hearing about it from her 11-year-old son.
She was already working at Transport for London (TfL) but thought that the scheme was intriguing so gave the London Transport Museum a call to find out more and asked if they were looking for volunteers.
Captivated audience
She has now been volunteering as a school liaison officer for two years and during each of her sessions her captivated audience hears what TfL does behind the scenes to keep the Tube, buses and Docklands Light Railway running.
They also learn how Oyster works and find out the consequences of antisocial behaviour.
'We explain how much you can be fined for etching on windows, and how much it costs TfL to repair each year. With their mouths open they say: "Wow, I didn't know it cost that much".'
Akosua continued: 'When I was younger, if I went home and said to my mum I've been fined £500 it would have come out of my pocket money!'
Safety demonstrations
She makes sure that the children are involved at each stage of the session, helping with safety demonstrations and other activities in the hope of winning a prize later on.
However, despite all the fun, the focus of the event remains on safety.
'We don't want to scare the children but safety is something they need to get right, because they don't get a second chance,' said Akosua.
Recalling a tale about children running in front of a bus, she added: 'I tell them that story not to shock them, but to say that it only takes a second.
They all want to be cool, but when you're dead you won't be cool, you just won't be alive.
'The core message of the Safety and Citizenship scheme, which is welcomed by parents, is not to put yourself in danger.
'If someone is messing around on the bus, and you really feel they will listen to you, fair enough, ask them to sit down.
But if you don't want to get involved or feel intimidated, go to the driver when you're getting off and ask them to deal with it,' she said.
Real difference
Every time Akosua goes into a school she feels like she's making a real difference. 'I see the statistics of how many children die on the road and the numbers are going down, so I know we're doing something right.
I think the schools are definitely grateful for any help they can get and, essentially, the sessions help keep children alive.'
