What is Life Skills & Participation?
Life Skills & Participation training equips young people with the practical skills, knowledge and self confidence to aid reintegration into the local community. It is an investment in the futures of young people who want and deserve so much more than a roof over their heads.
The Roundabout team provide young people with Skills for Life training and activities, and encourage voice and influence through effective participation. Sessions cover key elements of Skills for Life, resettlement and access to education and employment alongside issues such as crime and community cohesion, citizenship, multifaith and multicultural awareness, domestic violence and health and emotional well being. The team also work with young people from all parts of the organisation on service user policy reviews and sexual health advice.
How do I get Life Skills & Participation support?
Training is offered to young people on first point of contact and aims to enable them to integrate within a group setting and to learn social skills alongside training that will enable them to move on and sustain independent living within the local community.
All young people living at the St Barnabas Road Hostel are encouraged to attend Life Skills & Participation sessions throughout their stay as they move towards independence.
How does the scheme work?
Life Skills & Participation sessions are delivered at varying times daily, offering a flexible and comprehensive programme that complements key work and resettlement provided by project workers and additional lifestyle support by a dedicated worker.
The training adapts delivery to the changing needs of young homeless people in breaking the cycle of youth homelessness. If any additional training needs are identified outside of the planned programme the team tailor sessions and external support to meet the needs of the learner. All sessions are learner centred and delivered in an inclusive environment given the often chaotic lifestyle and vulnerability of the service user group.
Roundabout believes passionately in voice & influence and participation, and is well renowned for its good practice and innovation in service user involvement and participation sessions are an integral aspect of training at Roundabout. Young people have complete autonomy in planning activities and managing their own activity budget, alongside producing a resident’s newsletter and effecting strategic change within the organisation through recruitment of staff, policy review and effective complaints procedures and recommendation mechanisms.
The Learning Power Award
In 2009 the team will implement the Learning Power Award, an accredited City & Guilds programme specifically devised for young homeless people. Young people will then be remunerated for the work they do in training and participation sessions by being given the opportunity to achieve a nationally recognised qualification. This Certificate in personal development through learning focuses on the distance travelled by the learner rather than the end goal.
To discuss anything with the team please contact us on 0114 2536785
