More than 100 young people from Blyth are going back to school voluntarily to take part in a unique new scheme to build confidence, encourage community engagement, make new friends and learn exciting skills.
As part of an initiative sponsored by the Department for Education, children aged five to 14 who are available during the long, summer holidays were invited to take part in the four-week programme hosted at Bede Academy and managed by Bedlington based charity Leading Link. The scheme was developed and supported by a working partnership comprising of Northumberland County Council, Leading Link, the school meals team, Blyth schools and outdoor activity specialists Off The Grid.
The purpose of the scheme is to take away some of the pressures that parents traditionally experience at holiday time including providing child care, ensuring that their children have engaging activities to occupy themselves rather than watching TV or playing computer games and maintaining a healthy diet.
Leading Link whose aim is to maximise the potential of young people is coordinating the scheme and CEO Lyn Horton is looking forward to engaging with the young people.
“We’ve a whole host of activities lined up over the holidays. We’re starting with basic teambuilding games and activities which will allow the children to mix and get to know each other. We’ll then lead on to day visits to places of interest, making things in our arts and crafts sessions, sports activities and they’ll even be trying their hands at bush craft and fire lighting.”
Helping the children settle into the scheme are youth ambassadors, representatives from Bede Academy, teachers and sixth formers as well as a team of young people from Leading Link. As Lyn explains, the children have a number of positive role models who help and support with the activities.
“Our team of youth ambassadors are also learning new skills such as managing people, event coordination and creating their own community relationships. The children really relate to them and they are doing a fantastic job, “said Lyn.
Emma Richardson, a senior manager at Northumberland County Council is taking a more strategic view of the scheme.
“It’s wonderful that the children are doing engaging, interesting activities during the summer holidays but there is a major long-term benefit too. What we’re doing is planting seeds for the future of these young people. For instance, an activity that they may try for the first time on the scheme may develop into a hobby or even a potential career. They will also be making valuable lifelong contacts too – from new friends to their local community organisations such as Children’s University, Leading Link and Off the Grid. It’s a great scheme that is well run, safe and inclusive to all.”
For more information please contact:
Lyn Horton Chief Executive Officer
t : 01670 820088
m: 07950 763613
e: lyn.horton@leadinglink.co.uk w: www.leadinglink.co.uk
Press and Media Keith Newman Highlights PR
07814 397951