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From Captain Tom Hughes
Community Youth Worker: 0208 570 1116/1821 Email: thomas.h@tinyworld.co.uk
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Summer Holiday Programme
Church and Community Youth Project
July 28th to August 18th 2001

Aims:
1. To reach out making new contacts with the children who live in and around the Beavers Estate Area - with the purpose of aiding their personal growth and development and helping them to become more integrated into the wider communities.
2. To provide an exciting and varied summer programme - offering creative fun play activities for young children aged between 8 to 11 years.

Objectives:
1. To build good relationships between the different peer groups of children and also between the children and adults working with them.
2. To provide good role models through the adult staff members and volunteer helpers.
3. To offer challenging activities through which the children can build confidence and self worth.
4. To stimulate positive attitudes - such as supporting and caring for others, enthusiasm and motivation through co-operative team efforts and constructive play.
5. To enable personal growth and development through social interaction and creative self-expression.
6. To give some of the children a break away from their everyday environment in order to rest and gain a fresh perspective.

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RESOURCES and PERSONNEL
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Premises and Venues.
We were able to make use of the Focus Centre, the Church hall and grounds and we made links to join in with All Saints Church Holiday Club in Heston.
Outside Contacts Brought in.
Ø Art for Fun. Contact: 444 Chiswick High Road, London W4 Tel: 0208 4444 333 Sophia Hunt
Ø Albert and Friends. Contact: Riverside Studios Crisp Road. Hammersmith W6 9RL Tel: 0208 8237 1170 Petra Owens
Ø Drum Rhythms. Contact: Pauline Tel: 020 89430617/07833320465

Trips Away.
These included:
Ø A canal trip - Jenny Wren 250 Camden High Street, London NW1 8QS. Tel: 020 7485 4433
Ø A Residential - halls Green. Hale Oak Road Weald Kent TN14 6NQ Tel: 01732 463212
Ø A trip to Odd's Farm - Odd's Farm Park Woodburn Common High Wycombe Bucks. HP10 0LX Tel: 01628 520188

Support was given from the Army Barracks - for Tent equipment. Transport was provided via the - school minibus, and minibus hire from Hounslow Community Transport.

Human Resources.

One full time paid staff member - Captain Thomas Hughes, Youth and Community Worker for the Parish Church of the Good Shepherd. Eleven adult volunteer helpers who made themselves available for specific parts of the programme according to their availability.

The outside contracts were able to provide their own qualified staff members for their particular event.

N.B. For future reference- only those who are police checked can be listed as volunteer helpers.

Brief Report of individual events.

Ø The Good Shepherd Parish Church Sunday school party. Sunday 29th July 12 to 2 P.M.

This was well attended by fifteen to twenty children who are regular attendees of the church. Food was in good supply thanks to the wonderful contributions from members of the congregation. This was a great way to mark the end of term and begin the summer holiday season. Award prizes were given for regular attendance at Sunday school and prizes for special efforts. Games were played along with a few team competitions. All had a great time. The Sunday school leaders each played a full part and contributed to make the occasion extra special for the children. Hats of to the two church wardens who volunteered to be made fools off! Many thanks to other members of the congregation who supported this event and helped with the catering.

It is a credit to the Sunday School Leaders who continuously provide nurture and teaching in fun relative ways throughout the years and so enable the children to grow and develop in their faith.

We look forward to sharing more special occasions and organising future events in which we can share fellowship, enjoy the gifts God has given us and grow in relationships.

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Brief Report of individual events.

Ø Art for Fun Creative Workshop run at the Focus Centre on 28th July from 9:30 to 4:00pm

Art for fun was a creative workshop run on Saturday 28th July from 9.30 A.M. to 4 P.M. It cost the budget £210 and we were hoping to have as many as forty-two children attend to help cover overhead cost. There was an admission fee of £5 for each child.

This was a workshop where the children created their own design for a mural and then painted their own ceramic tile/s to make up a collective piece of work to be hung in the Focus centre when finished. The children were encouraged to think about issues and themes that interested them, and then they painted their own ideas on ceramic tiles.

The total number of children who participated in this day was only six. Three paid and three were let in free of charge. With the help of the staff they still managed to complete a piece of work consisting of 42 tiles - quite a feat! This was their own unique design that will eventually be on display soon in the Focus centre.

All the children who attended were from the Beavers estate and each one enjoyed the day, managing to contribute some of their own creative ideas.

On the evening of Saturday 28th July we run a blockbuster movie at the Focus Centre. The film was 'Stewart Little' and we had eight children in attendance with two adults. Each child paid 50 pence subs.

Ø Future recommendations. That we adjust the size of the project to the number of children in attendance.
Ø That we chose a project that relates more to their own environment, and inspires ways of change and/or improvement.

Brief Report of individual events

Ø All Saints Church Holiday Club in Heston from 30th July to 3rd August.

All Saints church in Heston ran a week's holiday club for local children from Monday 30th July to Friday 3rd of August. There was an admission fee of £5 for every child.

The Good Shepherd Church has had links in previous years with All Saints holiday club. This year it was good to take along two children from our own church. There were two lads also from Focus Junior Club who attended.

This was a well-planned and organised event, supported and resourced with many helpers from All Saints church. Captain Tom found he was immersed in taking the teaching slots for the largest group of some thirty children in the eight plus age range. A fun week with many creative art and craft activities as well as games and songs. It had a good theme running through with sound biblical teaching. Throughout the week there were over fifty children in attendance each day. Well worth the effort and hard work put in by the members of All Saints congregation. It was a wonderful opportunity for sowing the gospel seeds of God's love.

Ø Future recommendations that we continue with the good links made with the organisers and support them next year with more helpers from the Good Shepherd - in order to train our own team.
Ø That we try to encourage more children from the Good Shepherd to attend.
Ø That we ask the leaders from All Saints to come and run such a club for us and train our own team of leaders.

Brief Report of individual events.

Ø Camp Survival at the Parish Church of the Good Shepherd from the 3rd August to the 5th August.

Camp Survival! This was a camping expedition, which was run in the grounds of the Parish Church. Devon and Dorsett Regiments at the Army Barracks supplied the tents.

The theme and activities were based on the T.V. series of Survivor where two tribes compete and vote members off the remote island. A full programme was planned (see appendix) which included team challenges, fun games and tribe counsels. The survival theme kept the children motivated and enthused throughout.

We had a total number of nine children for the duration and one teenager who helped with the disco on Saturday night. Altogether there were six adults who supervised and one full time paid worker.

This event was a good success, the facilities of having large church grounds was a bonus along with good-sized tents and good weather. The games and challenges meant that the children had to rely on teamwork in order to succeed. They all participated well and after the disco dance on the Saturday night the children took the initiative to create their own game of 'Blind Date' - a good few laughs were had by all. This was a good opportunity for us all to spend some quality time together.

Ø Future recommendations that we definitely do this or something similar again. Time spent apart with small groups like this is well worth the effort. It enables closer relationships to be built and allows for more in depth work.
Ø Next time to try and have a team who is involved in the planning stages and can remain on board throughout the duration to see the children through.
Ø To venture out further afield possibly try a hike up Snowdon or some other site.

Brief Report of individual events.

Ø Circus Workshop with Albert and Friends run at the Focus Centre on the 6th August to the 10th August.

This event was run for the whole week every morning and all day on the Friday. On the final day the children put on a performance where they could show off their newly learnt skills and talents to visiting parents.

We had approximately twenty to twenty-five children coming throughout the week. The numbers were low to begin with but as the week progressed and the word got round so the numbers grew. This event cost the budget around £1,200 and each child was charged £5 admission fee for the week.

The children who attended were mostly from the Beavers Estate. There were two from a family coming via the Army barracks. It was really good to see the children gradually grow in confidence as they began to learn new skills. There was a strong element of 'look what I can do' and their courage and persistence really shone through. Albert and his team were excellent in handling the children, being firm with difficult and disruptive behaviour and always encouraging them to take safe risks so that the levels of achievement were increasing all the time. A good balance was struck with time spent on free play, organised games and excellent coaching.

Ø A successful event: although expensive I feel that the team was good value for their money.
Ø Try to aim at getting more children to attend along with a team of parent/helpers who regularly work with the children to establish some kind of continuity in relationships.

Brief Report of individual events.

Ø Drum Rhythm's Workshop run at the Focus Centre on Saturday 11th August.

Drum rhythm's workshop was run at the Focus Centre on the Saturday 11th August. This event cost the budget £150 and was attended by twelve children and a few who turned up who simply chose to spectate. Each child was charged £3 admission for the day although some were allowed in free due to financial hardships. All the children attending were local to the Beavers Estate.

This was an interesting day. The children enjoyed experimenting with different instruments and showed potential as they were taught different rhythms. Gradually they took the courage to explore and express their own sounds and rhythms. Good group work was achieved and self-expression. The more extraverts caught on quickly while the quieter ones came on at a slower pace. The couple that led the workshop were fun and firm with the children. The whole day was therapeutic and at the end of the day we was all experimenting with 'old Mac Donald's farm' with one superstar taking centre stage.

Ø This was a workshop that is worth doing again, having a shorter session period rather than a whole day.

On Saturday evening we showed a second blockbuster movie at the Focus Centre. The children chose to watch the film 'Mrs Doubt fire'. All the children were from Beavers Estate and were charged 50 pence subs. There were three adults to supervise and we had fourteen children in attendance. Unfortunately the evening was aborted mid session due to unmanageable behaviour of four young girls.

Brief Report of individual events.

Ø Canal Trip from Camden Town to Little Venice on the 13th August.

Nine children and three adult leaders attended this trip. Each child had to pay £3 for the day. The event cost the budget £43 for the boat trip plus some extra for the van hire.

After a drive out from Hounslow to Camden we parked up in Regent's Park where the children enjoyed the adventure play area. We then had our pack lunches before the walk through Camden high street to catch the boat. Surprisingly the children found this trip enjoyable and exciting, taking in the many sights and relaxing as we gently cruised along the canal. They all asked plenty of inquisitive questions about life on the canal and they were fascinated with the locks. On return we all had an ice cream before heading back in the van to Hounslow.

Ø A very relaxing day, the trip was refreshing and a good way of getting the children out simply to enjoy a slower pace of life. Definitely one to do again.

Brief Report of individual events.

Ø Halls Green Residential Activity Camp in Weald Kent from 11th August to 17th August.

This residential trip to took seven children and initially three adult leaders out to the beautiful countryside in Kent. (One leader returned home the first evening due to sickness.) The children were a mixture of Church children and Junior Club members. All local to Beavers Estate. The cost for this event was £33.12 per child for the four days. Leaders were subsidised by the project and a generous donation came in from the Diocese Resource Centre via Lawrence Smith.

We stayed at a Christian activity centre located in Weald; the site is set in open fields and woodland. The children were able to participate in many activities such as: High and Low ropes courses, BMXing as well as playing team games around the adventure area. The site also had it's own indoor heated swimming pool which we made good use off. On this residential we were able to go on a country walk, follow an orienteering nature trail, have evening BBQs and bonfires, visit the beach at Camber Sands, sleep out for one night under the stars, watch a video, 'Babe,' and play games.

The children each were given their own diary and encouraged to keep a personal journal of this event. Many good memories were made, relationships deepened and certainly a good time was had by one and all. It was a given opportunity with real potential in which every child could benefit, grow and learn something from it.

Ø This was another opportunity to spend quality time away with the children and do some in depth group work, and one to one with individuals. Good opportunities for getting to know the children better.
Ø The volunteer helpers had the opportunity to develop their strengths and experience youth work with a difference.
Ø The more mature girls in the group shone through by assuming responsibility and helping out at meal times and around the lodge.
Ø Future recommendations - This is well worth doing again, but the leadership team needs to be together in the planning stages and on board with creating the programme.

Brief Report of individual events.

Ø Trip to Odd's Farm High Wycombe on the 18th August.

Eight children and three adult leaders attended this day trip out to the animal farm. Most of the children were from Beavers Estate and each child was charged £3 for the trip. The project had to cover costs for the minibus hire.

During this trip the children were able to enjoy themselves by playing in the adventure play area, climbing and playing on the straw bales. They all were taken on a tractor ride around the farm and then ventured out on yet another orienteering trek, all receiving their due certificate for completing it. The children enjoyed being able to feed, stroke and hold some of the animals. We had pack lunch together in the picnic area and were able to spend time having a game of football on the grass area.

Ø Future recommendations - This trip may be more suitable for the younger children and a visit cannot realistically keep them occupied for much more than three to four hours.
Ø It was a good day though and a chance for the children to engage in something different than what normally faces them in their own environment. Worth doing again.

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INTRODUCTION.

This report sets out to give a brief account and summary of the summer programme that was provided by the Youth and Community Project.

The summer programme was run for a period of three weeks from the 28th July until the 18th of August.2001.

Hopefully it will give the reader some insights and inspiration into what is involved in running such a programme and what can be achieved by it. We certainly may not have achieved all our aims as set out, but hopefully it shows that we are on our way and moving in the right direction.

During the course of this period I personally have found that there are rewarding aspects to the commitment of providing and running these activities: That is the simple joy-fun and freedom that the children expressed when they are given the opportunity, facilities and space to play in a safe environment. Another rewarding aspect has been in the building up of good lasting friendships with the children. We may not always get the results we expect or desire but these returns in themselves make all the sacrifice and hard work worthwhile.

SUMMARY

Two things to note then from this very brief report is that the work in itself can be said to be:

Worthwhile it is with purpose that we persevere to work with and for the children in our families and communities. This work in itself is rewarding brining a certain amount of satisfaction to both providers and recipients. It is also:

Costly both in terms of finance people and time - resources that are not always in plenty supply. Yet will if invested wisely yield a wonderful harvest in due season.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that future efforts of running summer programmes be spread out more to cover the whole of the six-week summer break.

That there is a team of workers to share the responsibly and workload and if possible to be active from the planning stages throughout to completion.

A future consideration is to remember the importance of consistency and continuity in our relationships with the children, that key workers if possible have regular contact with the children in their everyday environment through some regular means e.g. church, youth club, schools etc.

NB Summer programmes are important, but only one aspect and small way of working with children and young people and this has to be done in conjunction with the other everyday regular children's activities and services to maintain context and continuity. Appendix Camp Survival Programme Halls Green Residential Programme

CAPTAIN TOM