Outreach Programme 2010

Staffordshire and West Midlands Army Cadet Force winning Outreach Project was piloted just over a year ago to help channel the energies of young people interested in outdoor activities and who may have a challenging behavior or difficulty at school.

Recently 18 youngsters from Kingsmead Technology College, Hednesford took part in the scheme in its second year and were offered the opportunity to learn new skills and improve within a disciplined and structured environment. Over two weekends at Leek training area and Swynnerton training camp the youngsters were taught a variety of skills ranging from rock climbing, abseiling, kayaking, mountain biking, how to survive and live outdoors, and how to work together as a member of a team. More than 42 students aged 12 to 16 have now taken part in the programme and following its huge success another course is being planned for the near future.

The Army Cadet Force's Youth and Community Project “Outreach” seeks to help crime vulnerable as well as socially and educationally disengaged youngsters become responsible citizens by using team based adventurous and challenging activities to raise their self-esteem, build confidence, and broaden their perspective on what they can achieve with their lives.

The project is delivered by volunteer adult and cadet members of Staffordshire and West Midlands Army Cadet Force by adapting the organizations progressive and structured programme of fun, challenging and adventurous activities to the needs of Outreach.

By removing the participants from their normal environment and giving them a huge dose of positive activity, earned praise, self-belief and personal pride the programme offers them an attractive alternative to the satisfaction of peer notoriety they may have gained earlier from poor behaviour in school or involvement in anti-social activity in their community.

Deputy headmaster Mr Matthew Allman said “Kingsmead recognises the immense value of the Outreach programme in developing our students and that was why senior staff were eager to visit and take part in the activities. The students wholly enjoyed the experience and learnt a great deal about themselves and how they deal with others. The skills they developed will only benefit their learning back in the classroom”.

The scheme is completely voluntary for those on the programme.  Participants identified as crime vulnerable or socially or educationally disadvantaged are referred to Outreach projects by partner agencies that tend to be local schools, Youth Offending Teams, Social Services, local community groups or local Police.  Typical referral issues are low or no self-esteem, low personal achievement, school or social exclusion, truancy, or challenging behavioural problems.

All the youngsters voluntarily agree to participate in the project and can leave at anytime, but in reality, few choose to do so.

A well structured and disciplined activity programme is operated through a working partnership with the referring agencies and the ACF adult leaders and senior cadet directing staff acting as role models.  Using experienced cadets gives the vulnerable youngsters a rare glimpse of the positive benefits that can be gained by children of their own age group.

Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) David Roberts lovingly referred to by the youngsters as “Really Scary Man” said “This award is a fine reflection of a partnership working between the Army Cadet Force, the school and, of course, not forgetting the young people themselves. The award reflects the calibre of the course, those who organized it and, in particular, it reflects well on the young people taking part who have worked hard to show what they can do with help and guidance from skilled instructors. It is, and has to be a good team effort all round.”

 

For more information on the Outreach programme in partnership with Staffordshire Army Cadet Force tel: 01785 257804 during office hours.