Edberts House: Youth Connect
Our Youth Connect program builds on our existing work from our Children, Young People and Families (CYPF) team and our four community houses.
Using the UKSPF funding we would like to pilot for one year recruiting additional youth workers who, instead of being solely based in the houses or the CYPF team, will work across these two areas of our work, enabling us to provide ongoing consistency and meet increased demand.
Contact
Phil Dobson
07956715123
edbertshouse.org (opens new window)
Case studies
Intergenerational work
Problems
RE and CT were referred to the CYPF team separately and were supported individually by different members of the team.
RE had a history of witnessing domestic abuse within the family home. Her mum has a learning difficulty as does her younger sister. RE was very isolated and anxious. She struggled emotionally and rarely socialised.
CT had been referred to us for support around grief, self-harm and suicidal ideation. She was also very isolated and anxious at the time of her referral.
Support offered
RE joined the already established girls' group at the beginning of the summer holidays and immediately struck up a friendship with CT.
CT had been part of the group for some time and had made significant progress while working with the CYPF team.
CT had already been asked about coming along to a session at Priory Court as a volunteer helper and we though that RE would also be a great choice.
Both girls were really keen to do this, and a session was set up for August.
Outcomes
The girls were introduced to the residents then given a little detail about how the sessions usually run. Both girls took the lead on the session immediately, serving refreshments to the residents, then starting some activities. CT initially took the lead, with RE very quickly joining her. They chatted about their hobbies and school life and took a real interest in the things the residents had to say. CT mentioned that she plays the flute and said she would be happy to come and play for the residents. It was a privilege to see how much the girls had grown in confidence.
At the end of the session, both girls said they'd had a lovely time and were looking forward to doing it again.
We plan to continue this work in the next half term.
Whickham Thorns and go-karting
Over the last quarter, one of our main focuses has been the development of a youth group. Finding an effective group has allowed us to offer a wide range of activities to keep members engaged over the summer. However, this has also allowed the group to develop distinct bonds with each other.
A distinct example of this was our trip to Whickham Thorns Activity Centre. Over the course of the day, the group participated in snowtubing, assault courses and a climbing wall. The group engaged with and enjoyed the activities throughout but showed particular teamwork and support during the climbing wall. Certain members of the group are proficient climbers and, rather than simply keep to themselves, these more experienced members of the group began helping others in the group. This went beyond moral support and stepped into a guidance role, supporting other climbers in finding the next step up. This would be an encouraging demonstration of support and community on its own, but the most distinct development was this support, breaking down previous boundaries. In early weeks of the group, new members have often kept to their preexisting friends/cliques. The desire to support and push each other forwards during the climbing wall superseded this separation within the group, with support and guidance being shared across the whole group.
Engagement from the group has also taken the form of increased security and trust of each other and our team. We had a trip involving go-karting followed by heading to South Shields beach, where the group had a great time. However, some of the most notable takeaways were the ancillary conversations certain members engaged in. While driving to go-karting, one member of the group discussed his upcoming first year of university. This person had previously been relatively quiet about his own life, preferring to support others around him and engage in activities. However, it was clear that he wanted to explore his options when it came to his accommodation, transport, university social life, and so on, and felt comfortable discussing these concerns with our team. This led to a productive conversation that he felt left him with a range of options to look at.
Later, once the group had finished go-karting, we headed to the beach to relax and eat. While most of the group were happy to enjoy their food and talk about the day's activities, two members wanted to skim rocks. These two had often stuck to themselves and could appear indifferent to others in the way that teenagers often can. However, in the environment of being enabled to enjoy their time as they saw fit, the two opened up greatly. Both discussed with each other and staff the different rocks they were finding, different techniques for skimming, and so on, which led to wider conversations around pastimes and hobbies. When it was time to leave, the two kept souvenirs from the day out and expressed how much they had enjoyed their time at the beach.
These occasions highlight the strength of building the youth group over time. While giving young people enriching and engaging activities to participate in over the holidays is a worthwhile endeavour, it also forms a base for further development. Getting members engaged and active over multiple sessions has built their trust in both our staff and each other. They have learned how to support and be supported by people in a group setting with those they had limited interaction with before the group. They've also been allowed a space to safely and openly discuss their concerns, hobbies, wants, etc. It's this developing trust, safety and support, both from staff and the members of the group, that I feel is really encouraging and proof of the good our Youth Connect Project can provide.