After three heatwaves in a month, summer has well and truly arrived, and the school holidays are only just around the corner. For some, they can’t wait for them, but for others, that can be a source of stress. This is why The Door’s youth clubs remain open for the majority of the holiday period in most of the places we work, as we recognise that this can be a time when young people need us the most, when everything else about their routine is closed.
The youth work team have planned lots of great activities, not least of which being three trips: Drayton Manor, Cotswold Wildlife Park, and trampolining. The trampolining is especially exciting as it will be the first ‘Door on Tour’ trip for Fairford & Lechlade young people. Two of the trips are being funded by GCC’s Holiday, Activity & Food fund as a means of making sure that all young people have access to fun activities and food in the holidays. For some, it will be the highlight of their summer.
The Cotswold trip is a reward for how well young people there engaged with The Door’s Thrive exhibition earlier in the year—which was about raising awareness of negative coping strategies and offering healthier ways to cope and thrive.
Before we get to the holidays, there is a school term to complete. Not only has it been a stressful exam season, but it’s also the time of year when we support local primary schools with their Year 6 transition into secondary school in all the areas that we work. In fact, it was the first time our four-week programme has taken place in the Cotswolds and in Stonehouse. It’s a wonderful opportunity for the local youth worker to meet soon-to-be Year 7s, building relationships early so they feel like they can engage with the youth provision in their area.
Transition work has involved fun activities exploring resilience, teamwork, and communication, which is usually well received by teachers and students alike. Students have the opportunity to talk about their fears and doubts with a trusted adult—one that can feel safer for them than a formal educator. You can read more about this work in Noah’s Article.
In addition to transition work, The Door has also hosted a myriad of work experience students in both Year 10 and Year 12 for a week at a time. They spend time shadowing a youth worker, accompanying them to meetings, planning activities, and delivering youth work (they often get to try their hand in The Door’s charity shop or offices too!). It’s a unique opportunity for them to see behind the curtain and break the illusion that youth workers just play pool and drink coffee all day!
It’s also a privilege for us to spend quality time with a young person for the week—and who knows, maybe we will see the next generation of Door youth workers, mentors, and shop staff from this year’s cohort!
Chris S. Director of Service Delivery