[Overview - Schedule - Worksheets - Breakfast Club - Options & Cost]

A WORLD WORTH LIVING IN


Overview


INTRODUCTION

This programme is run through Worth Unlimited (Worth) and delivered by local youth and
community workers either employed by Worth or seconded to Worth to deliver the programme. The programme is designed to neither be funding or accreditation driven but is personal development based, helping young people suffering from the effects of social exclusion to become fuller and more active participants in the world around them. It is designed as a first rung on the ladder and as such will help the young people identify the next step for them, i.e. New Deal, training, employment etc. The other outcome for the young people will be a logbook which will include a skills and recognition of achievement certificate.

Young people eligible to come on this programme are primarily those who would struggle to meet the Gateway provider's regime or attain the necessary requirements for more NVQ based programmes such as Princes Trust Volunteers.

The full programme is divided into three sections. The young people are assigned a mentor who will work with the group throughout the programme. Each section will be accredited through Worth Unlimited and all the sections are closely linked to each other forming a holistic programme. Throughout the programme the young people will be encouraged to recognise these links and in doing so will gain more from the programme.

ETHOS

Empower the young people coming on the programme to move from dependence through independence to interdependence recognising we all exist within society and therefore need to relate with the communities of which we are part.

UNDERLYING PRINCIPALS

  • Individual attention within the context of group work.
  • Positive use of peer pressure.
  • Atmosphere of encouragement.
  • Recognition of skills and attributes already possessed by the young people.
  • Informal Education and personal development based.
  • Non linear approach.
  • Holistic.
  • Culturally appropriate.
FORMAT OF DELIVERY  
The course takes the form of starting with two introductory sessions and a weekend residential. It continues with the group meeting regularly with their mentor/worker at a Breakfast Club and working on a task that benefits the local community. It concludes with a five day residential. In total the course takes 15 weeks not including the introductory sessions. A Breakfast Club would start around 8am and last for about 4 hours and as well as the worksheets being completed may include preparation time for the task, this may mean eating breakfast and moving onto another venue.The task sessions should last for the minimum of 4 hours ideally on a different day to the Breakfast Club.

The roles of the worker are to liase with task provider and facilitate the programme and group. This is done primarily through a process of informal education, which is supported by the various worksheets undertaken during the residentials and Breakfast Clubs. These sheets provide an impetus for discussion, and direct the education process towards the objectives. The residentials and task-based sessions build and stretch the group. The group undertakes a task that will benefit the local community; this could be a community arts project, environment regeneration, activity-based project, social care etc. A staff member from the task provider will meet with the group on 4/5 occasions. This helps achieve the objectives outlined in 'Your Employment World'. Whilst the Breakfast Club provides an informal setting to unpack the issues raised by the work sheets and activities.

All the worksheets go into the young person's portfolio and provide the basis for assessing their involvement in the programme. The group, using the evidence wheel, which is front sheet of the portfolio, does the assessment.

building hope SECTION 1: YOUR EMPLOYMENT WORLD

AIM:To learn the culture and disciplines of work through volunteering or income generation projects.

OBJECTIVES:

(a) Undertake a suitable project and meet its supervisor's requirements in terms of attitude, attendance, and time keeping.

(b) Learn how to deal with those in authority in the work place.

(c) Learn how to deal with responsibility; work on their own initiative and as part of a group.

(d) Learn the parameters, boundaries of working with others.

(e) Assess the quality of their own work against that required by the placement.

(f) Keep a personal learning record of achievements.

(g) Encourage the young person to experience and use a range of practical work related skills.

(h) Meet regularly with their mentor at the Breakfast Club to discuss issues raised.

(i) Meet regularly with a staff member from the task provider to discuss their task.

unlocking potential SECTION 2: YOUR INSIDE WORLD

AIM: To enable young people to recognise and develop the potential they have within them and build their capacity to make positive lifestyle decisions.

OBJECTIVES:

(a) Undertake an assessment of their skills.

(b) Provide activities to build self-esteem.

(c) Working as a group, undertake a challenge to achieve e.g. to climb Ben Nevis.

(d) Identify achievements and skills already in existence.

(e) Identify 2 personal goals to achieve in the next 15 weeks, or beyond.

(f) Develop a day tackling personal/life style issue e.g. drugs, alcohol, relationships, this will happen within the final residential.

realising worthSECTION 3: YOUR OUTSIDE WORLD

AIM: To help young people recognise the effects of their actions and lifestyle on others and recognise the structures in place that they can benefit from.

OBJECTIVES:

(a) Develop an understanding of groups and how they operate.

(b) Look at their own relationships with people and institutions, and where they have broken down seek to find ways to restore them.

(c) Work towards an informal restorative justice programme (possibly as a personal goal see section 2e) if the young person has been involved in crime.

(d) Develop a greater understanding of gender, race and discrimination issues.

(e) Undertake a field trip to develop a greater appreciation for the environment.

(f) Look at the issue of hypocrisy; who do they think of as hypocrites and where don't their actions match their words?


info@worthunlimited.co.uk
Worth Unlimited is part of The Worth Foundation, a company limited by guarantee and a registered charity no. 1068782