Twenty nine young people with leadership potential from the voluntary youth sector have participated in a course to hone their skills. 
The teenagers spent five days on an outdoor education residential at Marle Hall in North Wales with Warwickshire Children and Voluntary Youth Services (WCVYS).
The trip was full of fun and challenging outdoor activities. Young people gave their all in taking on the high ropes course, water activities, rock climbing, sea traversing and team building/problem solving challenges.
The activities had a focus on exploring what makes a good leader, looking at; styles of leadership, how to motivate, problem solving, effective challenging, conflict resolution and working within a team. The outcomes for the young people included increased confidence and skills in leadership, communication and team work.
The residential also aimed to promote community cohesion; there will be more young leaders supporting local youth projects and more positive role models for young people in their communities.
The programme brought together very different young people from across diverse urban and rural communities of Warwickshire. Young people of different gender, race, disabilities, social class and educational experience had the opportunity to learn together.
The teenagers are members of a variety of youth organisations including Warwickshire Young Carers’ Project, Warwickshire Race Equality Partnership, Doorway, The Gap, Revolve, Coventry and Warwickshire YMCA, Warwickshire Girl Guiding, Warwickshire Scouts, Warwick Show Band and Escape Community Arts in Action.
This helped them to gain a greater understanding of diversity of communities and youth groups that exist across Warwickshire.
All young people who participated gained a nationally recognised ASDAN award which will support their record of achievements and help their prospects for work, training and college applications and at interviews.
One of the exercises involved evaluating the stay at Marle Hall. Overall, the comments and responses were very positive and indicated that the project had achieved its attended outcomes. Some encouraging feedback from the young people included:
“I overcame my fears and pushed myself to do activities that I wouldn’t normally do.” Kate
“I would like to do another course like this again but as a leader to help other young people.” Charlotte
“I will take the skills learnt throughout the week into challenges in the future, understanding the importance of good team work and communication skills” Sam
Helen Smith, Development Worker at WCVYS said “We support a wide range of organisations across Warwickshire who work with children and young people and it is great to have the opportunity to spend time with young people from these organisation who show so much potential as future leaders.
“We would like to thank all those who supported the funding of young leaders programme without which, it would not have been possible. Special thanks to: The Heart of England Community Foundation (Comic Relief Funding), The Norton Foundation, Stratford Town Trust, The Town Council of Royal Leamington Spa and WCVYS.”
WCVYS looks forward to continuing to involve Warwickshire young people within future projects to develop their skills, confidence and volunteering opportunities.