In December 2018, seven care leavers participating in the Warwickshire House Project embarked on a residential weekend as part of their work building confidence and life skills.The seven young peop...
In December 2018, seven care leavers participating in the Warwickshire House Project embarked on a residential weekend as part of their work building confidence and life skills.
The seven young people from Warwickshire planned the trip from start to finish, spending six weeks sorting out travel arrangements, accommodation, meal plans and risk assessments and deciding on the activities that they would participate in. This was a great opportunity for the group to overcome challenges, fears, increase confidence and learn how to work better as part of a team in a fun and active way. These are all skills that the House Project aims to develop.
The House Project is a programme of work, funded by the Department for Education, currently supporting ten young people who are in the process of leaving foster care into suitable accommodation. Care leavers are often at a disadvantage when it comes to finding their own home as they may not have the same support network or life skills as people who have never been in care. The House Project aims to change this by not only collaborating with the young people to refurbish and decorate their new home but also developing unique training and support packages for each individual to make sure they are able to stay in control of their housing circumstances.
The weekend residential took place at Frontier Centre in Northamptonshire. Activities included archery, high ropes, king swing and various trust exercises.
Comments from the young people confirmed the trip’s success, stating the weekend was an “opportunity to discover your real potential”, “a place to conquer my fears and increase my confidence”, and another describing the experience as “an opportunity to help the House Project team bond and develop skills to work as an effective team”.
Councillor Jeff Morgan, portfolio holder for children & families, said: “The Frontier Centre trip was an opportunity for the young people to come together as a team. By using their individual strengths they took ownership, planned and organised the whole thing, using the skills they have learnt so far. We have received great feedback on the progress of the House Project and the young people taking part.”