Personal Development and Volunteering Personal Development There are many personal development programmes throughout Brighton and Hove. The options listed below are full-time courses through which you can gain qualifications and confidence. They offer; • • • • • •
skills such as team working, communication and leadership support to identify, plan and achieve your chosen goals offer an element of volunteering or work experience help in finding employment or education confidence building and encouragement qualifications that you make you more employable e.g. numeracy, literacy
Provision changes over time but these are some of the main providers; •
Princes Trust This is a well known national programme for 16-25 year olds, giving you the opportunity for personal development, confidence building and career planning. The 12 week programme ‘Team Programme' also includes a residential outward bound course, develops your team building and leadership skills for which you gain accreditation.
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Working It Out This course is run by Tomorrow’s People for 16-24 year olds who have difficulty in finding work and it aims to build confidence and employability skills and prospects. Working It Out lasts 16 weeks, includes a community based project, work experience and one-to-one mentoring.
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ON2 (Foundation Learning) Although programmes can be started from the beginning of September (like other college courses), they also offer flexible start dates throughout the year. They can be an excellent option if you cannot find work, have left another course prematurely or need to build your confidence and skills. Programmes are tailored to individuals and very supportive. You can achieve qualifications, develop your personal and social skills and try out a vocational area such as construction, childcare or military preparation. There are several ON2 training providers around the city. -1-
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National Citizens Service The National Citizen Service was launched in summer 2011 and was offered to 11000 young people around the country. It is planned to run again in summer 2012. It runs during the summer after you finish Year 11. It starts with three weeks fulltime, including two weeks away from home. After that, you complete another 30 hours on a part-time basis. Working in a team, you have the chance to take part in outdoor activities like mountaineering, canoeing and abseiling. You get to design and deliver a project in your local community. This could mean working with other young people to improve the area where you live, with the aim of benefiting everyone who lives there.
Volunteering • • • •
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Volunteering can be full-time or just a few hours a week. Sometimes it could involve you in a one off event or activity. Volunteering is an excellent way of developing your employability and personal skills, build your confidence and gain a reference. It is also an excellent way to demonstrate your interest or commitment to a chosen career path. Even if it doesn’t relate directly to your career, it can show employers that you are a motivated and pro-active individual. This could be a valuable use of your time while you seek employment, but also combines well with paid work or studying. The number of hours and length of commitment may depend on the type of organisation and area of work involved, but it could be anything from a couple of hours a week or even full-time. There are many organisations in need of volunteers. You can search for local opportunities on Vinspired which is aimed at volunteers aged 16-25 years or on Do-it You could also ask at your school or college if they can help you find a placement, some of which may be accredited.
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Produced August 2011 by the Healthy Schools Team @Brighton and Hove Council
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