The Blog for Penryn (UK) -based Kernow Youth Society for the Performing Arts. Our society is open to young people aged 9 upwards from the Falmouth and Penryn area. Our aim is to allow members to explore their interest in the performing arts through drama and film activities. KYSPA has a strong citizenship theme with activities aiming to promote self confidence, teamwork and communication skills.

Saturday 21 April 2007

Youth Group Residential Visits.... Don't Panic!

The residential visit is fast becoming an endagered activity. Increasingly organisations, including schools, regard residential visits as a "high risk" activity involving massive bureaucracy, stress and an increased chance of getting sued. To be sure, there have been several high profile examples of residential visits which have gone tragically wrong but although residentials do take quite a bit of work, they are an incredibly enjoyable and rewarding thing to do. In short, don't panic.

Residentials are a popular aspect of KYSPA's work and we'd strongly recommend them to any youth group. They promote a particular sense of team work, create great memories and strengthen friendships. They are also a key tool in creating partnerships with groups and organisations elsewhere in the country, allowing a greater range of activities and experiences for our members.

The first step in planning a residential visit is risk assessment. This isn't rocket science and need not take a huge ammount of time but it does need to be thorough. At KYSPA we organise the risk assessment chronologically with the timetable of activities, taking each stage in turn.

Initially, thought is given to transport - usually minibus - and issues relating to the journey. For the most part this is common sense stuff (seatbelts, checking doors are secure before moving off etc.). But thought also needs to go into managing stops at busy service areas; parking the vehicle somewhere with good visibility and less traffic for instance. Thought is routinely given to action we would take in a breakdown. Do we stay with the vehicle (mostly) or move out and away from the vehicle (motorways and fast duel carriageways)?

As a general rule we expect our young people to remain with at least one other party member at all times, whether in a service area, the residence or at the activity venue. This basic security principle ensures that members cannot become totally detached from the rest of the party. We arrange a meeting point at all stops or venues in case of separation and conduct regular number checks.

For the most part, any activity we undertake on residential is no different to our usual film making or drama work. If we've got an external organisation running an event for us, we obtain a copy of their risk assessment and relevant policies. That just leaves the need to consider whether the venue you are intending to use contains any specific risks. KYSPA does not undertake any of the "high risk" activities, such as rock climbing, sailing etc as these fall outside of our performing arts remit.

Picking suitable residential accommodation is very important, particularly in the wake of the Caroline Dickinson tragedy. Good practice dictates that the party should be slept in rooms as close together as practicable with the adult leaders immediately to hand. Most accommodation which houses young people (YHA for instance) will provide you with an advance copy of their in-house risk assessment for you to read. You should demand this unless you want to visit the location yourself in advance (not too bad if its local, a pain if its a full day's drive away!). Always consider who else will be in the accommodation with you and what extra security measures need to be considered. These need to be clearly communicated to your young people. As well as the obvious matter of securing rooms (and windows) at night, give thought to night-time trips to communal toilets. The young people should make sure someone knows they are leaving the room and, if possible, accompany them.

Communication with parents is important and serves a dual purpose. As a parent myself, I would expect to have an itinerary, kit list and some briefing material on H&S issues, including child protection, associated with the trip. Providing this information to our parents involves a degree of thought and advance planning - an investment which really helps once you're on the trip. As a rule, at KYSPA we compile a visit folder for each residential, containing all our briefing material, copies of the membership forms (contact details, medical info, consent for images etc) and risk assessments. This is looked over by the Trustees ahead of the visit and parents are invited to view the documents too if they wish.

From a legal point of view, the duty of trip leaders, and the wider organisation, is to take "reasonable care" in anticipating and minimising risk. For example, although I hold a driver's license which allows me to drive a minibus, I also hold, and will maintain, a certificate in minibus driver improvement from Cornwall's Road Safety Unit. Like any organisation, we need to have statutory First Aid provision so any residential visit will have a First Aid qualified staff member on it. I have undertaken Risk Assessment, H&S and Child Protection training to ensure that KYSPA is following good practice in the assessment of risk.

Finally, any organisation should ensure that their insurance provision is sound and covers them adequately. We have Employee Liability, Public Liability and basic Personal Injury provision, so that we know that in the very unlikely event of something going wrong we are well protected - our young members are also protected under the personal injury provision.

With these procedures in place, a residential visit is not something to fear but to enjoy. With the exception of the inevitable spanner in the works (closure of a main motorway for instance) the planning is taken care of, the young people and parents are well briefed and the activities will be conducted safely. Everyone, including the leaders (hopefully), will have a great time!

(PS. This theory will be put to the test as we embark on our second residential at the end of this month. Keep an eye out for future posts detailing our experiences at Lindridge House, Devon)

Wednesday 18 April 2007

Team KYSPA!

This week's session had a distinctively "team orientated" flavour as we started to work through the preparation activity pack for the YoMo training weekend. Our members were divided into "Team A" and "Team B" (I thought of those names myself!) and given a couple of competitive challenges to complete. "Railway Sleepers" involved the teams lining up facing each other inside a narrow box. They then had to rearrange the line according to age/height/alphebetical order without stepping outside the box.

"Team A" got off to a rocky start on this one but redeemed themselves with a win or two in the latter stages. "Keep the Balloons Up" was a challenge which is exactly what it sounds like. The two teams had an area of the room (and a balloon each). They simply had to keep the balloons in the air and inside their area. Not too hard - until we added more balloons. The teams received a penalty point for each balloon to hit the ground or to go outside their area. Despite being in the lead for most of the activity, "Team A" had a run of bad luck in the closing minutes which meant they lost by just one point. Victory to "Team B"!




Aside from competing, all our members had the chance to sit down and think about what makes a good team member. Ideas included good listener, good speaker and a willingness to work with others. Team leaders need to be calm, supportive and confident with good people skills. A team functions well if good ideas are listened to (so all voices need to be heard) and it has a good leader.

Our members also evaluated their own listening and speaking skills on a sheet - and then heard their answers analysed by another group member. This activity was completed anonymously - to avoid embarrassment and also to try to make the analysis as honest as possible.

Overall, both Team A and Team B showed some positive qualities. Both teams contained members who could (and did) take on the leader role when needed. I saw examples of team members supporting and helping each other too, which is important.

The final activity was "Spider Web" which involved the entire group. Group members joined hands, criss crossing, to make a "web". They then had to untangle themselves without letting go of each other. From a team work point of view this activity seemed to bring out the best in our members - but it didn't stop them getting into a right old mess! (see below)




We got them untangled eventually!

Sunday 15 April 2007

Thanks to the Cornwall Community Foundation

The aforementioned "Making Waves" programme, which promises to have a huge impact on both our Society and our members, is being almost entirely funded by a grant from the Cornwall Community Foundation. I mention this because the cheque arrived this week so we're poised to launch full tilt into the preparation activities for our YoMo skills training weekend.

It seems appropriate under the circumstances to place a post on the blog explaining just who CCF are and what they do. CCF is an independent community charity - a trust - which administers a fund to support small charities and community groups in the county. The CCF administers funds on behalf of several organisations and government sponsored initiatives. Additionally, many business organisations make donations to the trust knowing that the money is guaranteed to be spent in Cornwall's communities (for instance A&P Falmouth recently raised money for CCF).

KYSPA is just one of many community & voluntary groups to benefit from the CCF. In 2005 alone CCF gave out £500,000 to 180 organisations. Several grants have found their way into the Penryn & Falmouth areas, reflecting the hard work being put into these communities by a range of volunteers.

To secure their long-term future and to continue their valuable work, the CCF is in the process of building a £2million endowment fund to ensure that the essential support for initiatives and projects working in Cornwall's communities can continue.

For details about the CCF, whether giving or applying for a grant, you can view their website at www.cornwallfoundation.com

From everyone at KYSPA, we'd like to send a resounding thank you to the CCF's trustees and anyone who has supported the CCF in their work.

Saturday 7 April 2007

Why work with teenagers?

There was a time, when I was at college studying to become a Primary School teacher, when I held very strong views on working with teenagers; NO WAY! Anyone who knew me back then will testify that the very idea scared the bejeebers out of me.

I liked working with younger children. They're very open to new ideas and, not knowing that something's impossible for children their age, will attempt and achieve much more than you might imagine. For example, when we were given a problem solving activity as part of our A Level economics studies, I thought that the 7 and 8 year olds I was working with at the time might enjoy it. So I adapted it slightly and sure enough an A Level activity produced some pretty impressive results in a Primary School classroom.

I assumed that working with teenagers would be an entirely different ballgame. Teenagers, I thought, were impossible to motivate and difficult to manage. The stereotype of the "grunting" teenager who's way too cool to interact with adults led me to think that they lacked the "spark" of younger children and would not be much fun to work with at all.

This could not be further from the truth and the decision to try working with teenagers, despite my misgivings, was probably one of my better ones. Teenagers absolutely DO have "spark". They're old enough not only to have new ideas but the energy to try them out. They like a challenge as much as the next person.

Being a teenager is pretty tough. You're not a kid anymore, but at the same time society in general doesn't really treat you like an adult (often you're treated more like an inconvenient problem). Ironically, it is probably society's inability to "cope" very well with teenagers that makes voluntary work, like what we do at KYSPA so rewarding. Because it's so rare that teenagers are given the opportunity to take on projects, such as a drama performance or making a film, they jump at the chance when it's offered. The results are impressive and fun to be part of.

So if there's anyone out there who, like me in my younger days, thinks that working with teenagers is unrewarding and not for them I'd like to humbly suggest a re-think! Look at our other posts, like the Fresh 6 posts and see what can be achieved. Then, if you think you've got something to offer, find a local group and go see for yourself. You'll be surprised.

As for any teenagers reading this, just remember that it's much rarer than it should be that adults take time out to run activities etc for you. Make the most of opportunities they offer you & along the way you can perhaps begin to break down the persistently negative (and unjustified) stereotypes that persist about your age group.

Sunday 1 April 2007

Making Waves 2007

"Making Waves" is the title given to the programme of activities which formed the basis of our bid from the Cornwall Community Foundation. The idea was to create a series of activities around the general theme of youth issues - anything which our members feel strongly about or that directly affects them.

The idea was formed when, at a meeting of the Penryn Youth Initiative steering group, we discussed ways of consulting teenagers and young people about what they wanted the PYI to provide. We also talked about consulting them on the management of the youth space and facilities.

In my experience young people like to be asked what they think. They're not short of ideas and enthusiasm. However, in the past, when I've sat a group down and said "right folks, what do you think about...?" what generally results is a nervous silence where everyone becomes fascinated with the pattern of the carpet! It's not so much that they don't want to contribute, it's just that it's so RARE for adults to consult young people that, quite honestly, I'm not entirely sure they always know how to respond when it happens!

But thinking about it, that's not so surprising. I mean where exactly, in the KS2 & 3 National Curriculum do schools teach how to present your ideas to adults? I've worked in schools on and of since 1992 & I can count the examples I've seen on one hand (with fingers to spare!).

So, folks, this is what Making Waves is all about: First, you're going to learn the skills you need to get your ideas across in a way adults can't avoid taking seriously. You're going to practice team work, communication and project management (that's actually GETTING THINGS DONE, preferably within a time limit!). If you think about it, that's where we've been a little bit weak as a group.

In particular, I think we need to make sure that all our members have an equal chance to contribute, whatever their age or level of confidence. It's easy for quiter members' voices to go unheard. Learning to listen, and to encourage will be as important as learning to speak up. We're getting some help on this from an organisation called YoMo.

As part of this, you'll get to talk about things which affect you, like how young people in Penryn/Falmouth are treated by the community, what facilities there are, that kind of thing. You'll learn how to DISAGREE with someone, and pursuade them you're right or be pursuaded that, actually you were wrong. You will deliver a short project as a group within a time limit.

NEXT we'll apply that on a larger scale, putting together a presentation on issues you feel are important for local councilors (parish, town & county) as well as the community at large.

In the Summer, we'll be working with our friends from Bristol, Firstborn Creatives, to make short films for the film festivals based again on a youth issue theme.

We'll stage a play based on a historical issue which affected young people in the past - proving that if you think today's teenagers have it tough you're mistaken!

By the end of the programme you'll have "made waves" in your community. You'll have put your point of view accross and, just maybe, begun a process of actually making changes for the better. Your achievements will be recognised through accredited awards.

Finally, all these skills will mean that you will be able to plan and produce your own films and plays in the future. It'll be easy - you'll be experts! The investment made by the CCF into KYSPA should result in much more than 9 months of funded activities. "Making Waves" will be the foundation on which you can build a successful, confident society. Oh, it might come in handy at school too.

It'll be an interesting process for our society to go through. Hopefully by the end us leaders will be out of a job - you'll be running the society yourselves!