Breakthrough is an innovative programme designed to use the medium of offshore sail training on traditional vessels as a means of engaging young people, achieving a major shift in terms of their attitudes and expectations, and using that to empower them to change the course of their lives for the better. This is linked to an ongoing system of personal support, counselling and guidance aimed at enabling them to make sound choices for an effective transition to adult life.
It is run under the auspices of the Trinity Sailing Trust, a registered charity based in South Devon (www.trinitysailingtrust.org), in partnership with groups of young people from a variety of backgrounds and places.
Trinity owns three traditional sail training vessels, built between 1892 and 1924.
A grant from The Big Lottery Fund will enable 250 young people from Devon to participate in the project, and support from The Henry Smith Charity means that a similar number of young people from other parts of the country will be able to do the same.
The essence of Breakthrough is to combine:
· involvement in planning and executing an important task to create a sense of ownership
· a challenging and adventurous experience to raise confidence and self-esteem, and encourage leadership and self-reliance
· teamwork to create strong relationships with others, together with respect for them and their abilities
· basic life skills to put everyday things such as cleaning, tidying up, preparing meals and cooking them, and washing up in a new and positive light
· visiting new places and meeting new people to broaden horizons
· personal counselling and careers advice to identify post-school opportunities and secure commitment to real goals
· ongoing involvement by adult mentors to ensure that long-term benefits accrue
The project is carried out in collaboration with those responsible for the welfare of the young people, and with their active involvement, so they can capitalise on the changes we bring about and ensure the benefits are of a lasting nature.
The Young People
Those who take part are young people between the ages of 15 and 18 who are at risk of failing to make an effective transition to adult life, and some young people between the ages of 19 and 25 who have already failed to make that transition.
They face a range of problems – social, family, learning, emotional and behavioural. Most lack confidence and have low self-esteem, have low expectations and are low achievers.
Breakthrough involves the young people in every aspect of the project (see Involving Young People).
Partnership
The project is a partnership between Trinity and other organisations: schools and colleges, children’s and social services, youth centres, youth offending teams and others
Structure
The programme is centred on a one-week sail training voyage on a traditional tall ship, preceded by a period of planning during which young people take the lead, followed by advice and counselling to capitalise on the changes in attitude and expectation engendered by the experience.
Steering Group
A steering group, comprised of one young person and one adult from each participating group, together with representatives from Trinity, oversees the entire programme.
Outcomes
Breakthrough is intended to achieve the following outcomes, which are of benefit to young people and are in line with the priorities set out in the Government’s Every Child Matters policy:
1. Being healthy: Undertaking physical exercise in an enjoyable way in a healthy environment, and learning to appreciate its benefits. Eating healthy meals and learning about the benefits of a healthy diet.
2. Staying safe: Learning to look after themselves, take responsibility for others, how to form and maintain effective personal relationships and how to work with others.
3. Enjoying and achieving: Gaining a sense of fulfilment from the satisfaction of having met and overcome the challenges involved in the sail training experience. Being encouraged to believe in their own ability to change the course of their lives for the better, and appreciate the advantages of undertaking positive things. Being introduced to a number of life skills that will be of benefit in the future.
4. Making a positive contribution: Through the community-based project. By being encouraged to appreciate the value of socially-acceptable behaviour, and to avoid anti-social behaviour. By learning to work with others, form relationships with them and have respect for them.
5. Economic well-being: By committing to personal goals that will increase their chances of making an effective transition to adult life, and avoiding not being in employment, further education or training.
Staffing
All Trinity full-time sailing staff have the required MCA professional qualifications and are experienced in working with young people. All staff, including volunteers, are police-vetted.
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