Go Further Reach Higher is a VOCATIONAL EDUCATIONAL TRAINING PROJECT which offered international training opportunities to 90 young people living in the UK. Through activities ranging from work with donkeys in Aruba to carpentry training activities in Sweden, trainees had the opportunity to develop vocational competencies and also increase social and personal skills.
THE COMIC BOOK As part of the project all the young participants had the chance to create a comic page about their experience. All text and pictures have been produced by the young people themselves, with the support of Everything is Possible and our partners. All the team of Everything is Possible would like to thank our young trainees for their hard work in their project and for the comic book.
This project has been organised by EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE. We are celebrating 16 years of inclusion activities. During this time we offered thousands of young people international mobility opportunities around the world. More info on www.everythingispossible.eu Twitter: @eispossible
IMPACT ON PARTICIPANTS Half way through the project, we undertook a survey to evaluate the impact of the project on young participants. We’ve been very pleased to see that our Go Further Reach Higher VET projects had a huge impact on them. 84% strongly agreed to the question “Do you feel you have benefitted professionally from this experience?” and the remainder agreed. INTERESTED IN DOING A SIMILAR PROJECT Erasmus+ offers lots of Vocational Education Training opportunities and volunteering projects. For more info contact EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE.
GO FURTHER REACH HIGHER’S FUNDERS AND PARTNERS
+ programme of the
We would like to thank ECORYS UK and the ERASMUS European Union who funded this project. More info on Twitter: @erasmusplusUK @EUErasmusPlus
We would also like to thank our partners involved in this project who’ve made Go Further Reach Higher a real success
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ABOUT ME Hi my name is Jess and I am 18 years-old studying at Proco NW Ltd in Wigan.
Jessica in Aruba Animals
THE PROJECT
At the donkey sanctuary I fed the donkeys and cleaned up after them. At the vets I assisted in operations and consultations. At the zoo I cleaned the animals out.
FREE TIME
ACCOMMODATION
WHAT DID I LEARN PROFESSIONALLY?
WHAT DID I LEARN PERSONALLY?
During my free time I went snorkelling, horse riding, jet skiing and on a banana boat ride! That I enjoyed very much!
I learnt many new things at the vets, I went out with the head vet Ricardo to help treat a horse with colic. The vets gave me loads of experience!
It was good to share a room with my friends and to eat together at the table! After a hard days work at the donkey sanctuary we could go into the pool!
Personally I learnt how to snorkel, I met new people and learnt a lot about the donkeys!
ABOUT ME
THE PROJECT
FREE TIME
ACCOMMODATION
My name is Ryan. I am 16 years old and a ProCo student from Wigan. I love joinery and I would like to learn more about it and gain new skills and experiences.
Ryan in PORTUGAL Carpentry
I have visited historic places during my time in Portugal, i went to a museum and a joinery workshop.
WHAT DID I LEARN PROFESSIONALLY? Professionally, I learnt how to really restore old items, such as a cabinet
I have been learning to do traditional polishing and Joinery over in Portugal.
I am staying in a little apartment which I share with 6 other people. It is located in the middle of Lisbon where it is sunny and near a train station.
WHAT DID I LEARN PERSONALLY? Personally, I learnt how to manage my own money.
ABOUT ME
THE PROJECT
FREE TIME
In my free time I saw an Ice Hockey game in Lulea and spent a lot of time sledging, I also went hiking alongside a frozen waterfall in Storforsen.
ACCOMMODATION
WHAT DID I LEARN PROFESSIONALLY?
WHAT DID I LEARN PERSONALLY?
My name is Ismail Latif, I am 19 years old and I go to Kirklees College in Dewsbury where I am a full time student in Level 3 Bench Joinery.
Ismail in SWEDEN Carpentry
Professionally I learned how to make hand carved signs, bench seats and use different machinery while working as a member of a team.
The project was working in Sweden for a company called Ideum making joinery products such as bridges and bench seats that were going to be sold later.
I lived in a lodge in the woods surrounded by deep snow that needed shovelling regularly; I liked to chill out as often as possible.
I learned to make my dinner for work the night before. I was worried I might go hungry with no Halal options but this wasn’t the case.
A ASHLEIGH in MALT Animals
ABOUT ME
My name is Ashleigh McDowell, I am 20 year old student from York. Animals have always been a passion of mine. I wish to learn and experience more.
We’ve helped with the maintenance and general caring duties; keeping the welfare of rescued cats and helped with the running and improvement of the rescue sanctuary.
FREE TIME
ACCOMMODATION
My favourite activities were playing and swimming with the dolphins and horse riding along the cliffs of Golden Bay. Then cruising the islands and lagoons; swimming in caves with fish.
WHAT DID I LEARN PROFESSIONALLY? During this project I learnt professional etiquette, adaptability and new techniques with cats and their various needs and backgrounds. I also learnt to work with different people and routines.
THE PROJECT
Four of us are sharing an apartment; it’s a typically bright and tropical, with a pool and various canopies and palm trees. It’s within a short drive to the project.
WHAT DID I LEARN PERSONALLY? Personally, I learnt how to be more independent, how to live with other people I don’t know well. It also hoped me to cope better with change and new situations.
ABOUT ME
During the week I was in the workshop making shelves and putting them up. Refurbishing old chairs, sanding and varnishing and making parts to make the chairs lighter.
FREE TIME
ACCOMMODATION
WHAT DID I LEARN PROFESSIONALLY?
WHAT DID I LEARN PERSONALLY?
My name is Amy. I am 18 years old and I live in Wigan. I am a level 2 maintenance operations apprentice at ProCo NW.
AMY in PORTUGAL Carpentry
The best thing that I have done on the trip to Portugal was getting the chance to go on s tour around Lisbon. I learned a lot of about the history and culture.
Professionally I have learned how to use table power tools and have gained new skills in my joinery work.
THE PROJECT
I was living in a 4 bedroom apartment with 6 other people. I helped tidy up and cook. It was a 15 minute walk from my workplace.
Personally I learned why the Portuguese love their work. I also learned bits of the language and how to salsa dance.
MATTY in Aruba Animals
ABOUT ME
Hi, my name is Matty, I am 18 years old and from York. I am a student studying Animal Management and my motivation is my love for animals.
THE PROJECT
FREE TIME
During my free time I tried many new things such as horse riding and snorkelling. I really enjoyed it and saw many natural structures which I find very interesting.
ACCOMMODATION
During the project we stayed in an apartment. I thought the accommodation was good because it gave us a chance to be more social and live more independently.
WHAT DID I LEARN PROFESSIONALLY?
WHAT DID I LEARN PERSONALLY?
I learnt a lot about general donkey husbandry and also about sea turtle conservation. This was good because I want to go into animal conservation in the future.
At the donkey sanctuary we fed, cleaned and watered the animals as well as worming. I really enjoyed it because it’s what I would like to do in the future.
Personally I gained more confidence and learnt how to do thing I wouldn’t normally do at home such as horse riding and snorkelling.
ABOUT ME
THE PROJECT
FREE TIME
ACCOMMODATION
The Accommodation that was supplied to us was a lovely huge hostel; we had many rooms and toilets. We weren’t far from the project which worked really well.
WHAT DID I LEARN PROFESSIONALLY?
WHAT DID I LEARN PERSONALLY?
My name is Correy and I am a 17 year old student at York College and I am doing BTEC construction, my motivations are to progress within the construction industry and to better my skills.
N Correy in SWEDE Carpentry
Me and the group went fishing in a nearby lake, where we caught numerous fish all different sizes and colors and afterwards we had a lovely BBQ in a log cabin preserved for us.
We have learnt many interesting things such as working with large machinery and also how to use specific tools in the work shop and out.
We are currently working on creating a park, with its own eqipment and amazing views, it makes it such a great project to work on.
How to work in a environment with many other skilled people and how to communicate clearly.
ABOUT ME
My name is Shannon and I am 18 years old. I am a student at ProCo College doing my level 2 animal care course. I wanted to learn how other countries look after animals.
a Shannon in Malt Animals
FREE TIME
My favourite experience was having the dolphin interactions. I love being so up close and personal with the dolphin. I also enjoyed eating rabbit as rabbit is a Maltese delicacy.
WHAT DID I LEARN PROFESSIONALLY? I have learned how to work in a cat sanctuary abroad. I have learned how to handle cats and give them medical treatments. I have also learned about the cats behaviour and body language.
THE PROJECT
We care for the cats by cleaning, feeding them, providing love and attention and delivering health checks and treatments. I have enjoyed these three weeks a lot.
ACCOMMODATION
I lived in an apartment with two other students and two tutors. The apartment is in Sliema and is very spacious. It takes 30 minutes to get to the cat sanctuary.
WHAT DID I LEARN PERSONALLY? I learned how to live and work with people I do not know and I have also learnt about another country and how to adapt to a climate that is really warm.
ABOUT ME
THE PROJECT
FREE TIME
ACCOMMODATION
WHAT DID I LEARN PROFESSIONALLY?
WHAT DID I LEARN PERSONALLY?
Hi my name is Becky. I’m 18 and an Animal Management student from Wakefield. My motivation was to help care for the animals as I want to be a veterinary nurse.
REBECCA in Aruba Animals
We did many activities during our free time which included horse riding and snorkelling. Overall, I most enjoyed the riding as we were able to gallop over the beach.
I gained a lot of interesting experiences. I was able to physically participate in operations which I would not be able to do in the UK.
I mainly helped out at the Donkey Sanctuary, which included feeding and cleaning up after 57 donkeys. I also helped at the vets where I got hands on experience.
I stayed in an apartment with the rest of the group not far from the sea. Each night we took turns to cook which was quite interesting.
Personally I gained more confidence in meeting new people and living independently. I also learnt how to snorkel which was a really good experience that I hope to do again.
ABOUT ME
THE PROJECT
FREE TIME
ACCOMMODATION
My name is Ryan Critchley. I am 19 years old and live in Wigan. I am currently on a Level 2 apprenticeship in Maintenance Operations.
Ryan in PORTUGAL Carpentry
In my free time I have been to a violin restoration workshop and have also had a tour of a cabinet making museum.
WHAT DID I LEARN PROFESSIONALLY? Professionally I learned about different joints and different type of tools.
During my time in Portugal I have been applying a chamfered finish to a sofa bed and sanding tables to a smooth finish.
I have been living in a four bedroom flat which is situated very close to the nightlife. It is an ideal place as it is close for public transport.
WHAT DID I LEARN PERSONALLY? Personally I have learned the differences between the British culture and the Portuguese culture.
ABOUT ME
THE PROJECT
FREE TIME
Free time was spent just relaxing and socialising on the internet. In Sweden I enjoyed exploring the surrounding, ice skating and the view of the picturesque scenery.
ACCOMMODATION
WHAT DID I LEARN PROFESSIONALLY?
WHAT DID I LEARN PERSONALLY?
My name is Ramell. I’m 25 and an apprentice in a garage in Temperly. My main motivation for taking part in this was to explore new things and observed, partake in new cultures.
N RAMELL in SWEDE
al woRK Carpentry & Met
Professionally, I learned how to weld. This was good as I hadn’t welded previously to this and it has been a useful skill to learn.
The project was split into two parts. There was a welding and carpentry. Personally I enjoyed the carpentry better as we got to build a knife which I got to keep.
The accommodation was comfortable and warm with enough facilities to keep you occupied.
Personally, I learned how to adapt to change. Both the weather and the amount of sunlight during the day was challenging at first, however I got used to it.
ABOUT ME
My name is Amy, I am 18 years old. I live in Huddersfield and I am a student at Kirklees College and I would love to become an Animal Management Lecturer.
Amy in Malta Animals
THE PROJECT
We worked at the Cat Sanctuary for two weeks and I learned how different practices operated abroad compared to the UK.
FREE TIME
ACCOMMODATION
WHAT DID I LEARN PROFESSIONALLY?
WHAT DID I LEARN PERSONALLY?
After work we travelled around Malta, went to places such as Mellieha Bay, Bugibba and Valetta.
I learned that working with animals abroad is incredibly different to working with animals in the UK, a real eye opener!
We stayed in an apartment in Sliema which was really nice!
I learned how to live with a group of other people! Which is also preparing me for university.
Emi in Aruba Animals
ABOUT ME
My name is Emi, I am 19 years-old and from Leigh. I am a full-time learner studying Animal Management at ProCo. My motivation is my love of animals.
THE PROJECT
FREE TIME
ACCOMMODATION
We first stayed at Salanja Cerca in Noord, and then changed accommodation to stay with Desiree. She has lots of pets including three dogs, cats and donkeys.
WHAT DID I LEARN PROFESSIONALLY?
WHAT DID I LEARN PERSONALLY?
At the vets I gained a lot of knowledge about animal welfare in Aruba and about the different ways of caring for animals.
I discovered more about myself during the project; I was able to adapt to the climate and it has increased my passion for animals and their welfare.
My favourite activity was snorkelling at De Palm Island. It boosted my confidence in the water and I enjoyed every moment of it, especially discovering the beauty underwater.
I worked at a donkey sanctuary with Desiree, meeting and bonding with the donkeys. This included feeding and cleaning.
ABOUT ME
THE PROJECT
FREE TIME
ACCOMMODATION
WHAT DID I LEARN PROFESSIONALLY?
WHAT DID I LEARN PERSONALLY?
My name is David. I am 16 years old and I live in Wigan. I’ve always been interested in Joinery.
L David in PORTUGA Carpentry
In my free time I visited a cabinet making museum and other workshops.
Professionally I learnt how the Portuguese workers restore furniture and how it different compared to England.
I have helped to restore old furniture and decorated new pieces.
I stayed in a small apartment which I shared with 6 other people, it was a short walk from my workshop.
Personally I learnt how to be more punctual and independent. I learnt how to cope on my own.
ABOUT ME
THE PROJECT
FREE TIME
ACCOMMODATION
WHAT DID I LEARN PROFESSIONALLY?
WHAT DID I LEARN PERSONALLY?
Liam Ashcroft 17 from Wigan and studying level 1 Animal Care at Pro Co NW Ltd. I wanted the experience working abroad, learning about how to care for cats.
Liam in Malta Animals
I have enjoyed visiting the aquarium, swimming, trying out the Maltese food, exploring the island, learning about the history and chilling out in the apartment.
I have learnt a lot about how to care for cats, about their behaviour and needs, this will assist when working with cats in the future.
I have been cleaning cat pens, litter trays and the open cat area. I have also been responsible for feeding cats, giving them treatments and carrying out health checks on the cats.
I have enjoyed sharing an apartment with Derek, Sarah and Rebecca, having our own kitchen and relaxing listening to my music.
I have learnt about how to manage money, be responsible for myself, work with new people and overcome language barriers.
ABOUT ME
THE PROJECT
FREE TIME
ACCOMMODATION
WHAT DID I LEARN PROFESSIONALLY?
WHAT DID I LEARN PERSONALLY?
My name is Kirsty and I am a 21 years old and I am a student and I am currently doing an introduction to carpentry.
Kirsty in SWEDEN Carpentry
I enjoyed the social interaction spending time socialising within the group, visiting scenic place and witnessing the Aurora borealis.
I have learnt many skills that I thought I’d never learn, using machinery and building benches to a quality standard.
We had to make 2 park benches independently for our project the first with instruction the second as a team.
The lodge was warm and welcoming, with good wifi to contact home.
I have learnt to interact with all different personalities and handle/deal with situations in more positives ways than I would of being at home.
EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE www.everythingispossible.eu Twitter: @eispossible Facebook: /Everything-is-Possible Youtube: /EverythingisPossibl Comic pages created by the trainees themselves