The Fuse April 2020

APRIL 2020

Thank you

The Fuse News & views from Futures

FUTURES ONLINE CONTENTS...

ALT FUTURES........…………………..............P.2

FUTURES ONLINE...................................P.3 ONLINE CONTINUED..…………....….......P.4

MEN'S HEALTH.……....………………………...P.6 SHOUT OUT...………....………………………......P.7

MIND GAMES/SLAM DUNK...……....P.9

RESIDENTIAL................................….…....P.10 WILD WEST........................……………….……P.11

CREATIVE FUTURES...........................P.12

SUPPORT SERVICES............................P.13

Due to the unprecedented circumstances affecting us all and the continued lockdown due to the COVID-19 outbreak, we have had to change our way of delivering our programme. We have been very busy over the past weeks adapting to new ways of working and embracing digital and social media to work with our groups. Inside you will find lots of examples of what we've been up to. We've had daily challenges, online quizzes, dancing, cooking tutorials and lots more! Our cover images are of young people's work: Turn to Page 3 for more pictures! Additionally, we are recruiting for our new online programme starting in May 2020. At the back of this issue you will find a list of local services to support you through lockdown, should you need some extra support. Stay home & stay safe!

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ALTERNATIVE FUTURES Since September 2019 Futures has been working with two local Alternative Education Projects (AEP). In this report, Arlene Matchett, Centre Manager for Redburn AEP, describes her experience with the project to date....

I thought it was too good to be true and it has

Some of the kids said:

support, a positive addition to what we do and

learn that way. It gives you a chance to give your

been better than that. It has been an incredible invaluable to our young people.

The staff built relationships with the young people very quickly and the Futures project

"The staff make it good fun. I think it’s easier to

opinion without being judged. There aren’t many things that allow young people to express their opinion." - Dylan

became something that the kids were invested in

"It’s just overall enjoyable and you get a

grown and the young people feel genuinely cared

and looked forward to. The relationships have

qualification." - Hollie

Redburn & Lagan Valley Futures groups visited Lagan Airsoft recently

about by the Futures staff. They have understood ‘"It’s interesting but about important things to our young people’s needs and tried to meet them

learn and it gets you a qualification." - Chris

The keyworker’s additional individual work with

‘"The staff are good craic and we learn about

meeting their needs.

involved. The booklets are good cos we talk about

with their own programme and additional support.

some young people helped with understanding and things through group activities where everyone’s situations.’" - Jake

The programme is excellent and really relevant to our young people. The approach has really

‘"I got some extra help from the staff on my own

willingly and have managed to complete the

engaged our young people who have participated written booklets because the content was well delivered and due to the high level of support

given to anyone who needed extra time or help.

to finish the booklet which was good." - Bryce ‘"I’ve found it really informative and helpful."

- Leah

They feel comfortable to talk openly and express

Aside from the weekly group work which has had

so they can say anything but yet the Futures

that we have benefitted very significantly from

see them as an outside agency. Good mix.

foremost, the young people have had an invaluable

themselves. There are no centre staff in the room a very positive impact on our young people, I feel team have really integrated with us so they don’t The team building trip worked really well and our young people really appreciated the opportunity.

the keyworking and individual referrals. First and

I thought it was too good to be true and it has been better than that.It has been an incredible support, a positive addition to what we do and invaluable to our young people.

sense of being supported and for us as staff to have the extra avenues of support for very vulnerable young people is fantastic. The

keyworker supported a particular individual who The staff are good craic and we learn about things through group activities where everyone’s involved. The booklets are good 'cos we talk about situations.’ - Jake

we were really concerned about in terms of low mood and another young person who needs additional work on anger management.

Redburn Futures group pictured on a visit to Crumlin Road Gaol

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We have a school counsellor who is excellent with

the young people and provides a great service but I found that because the Futures staff are

The staff have also thought outside the box and

organised ‘The Man Shed’, to build an outside shed with the young people in our garden. I’ve been

working with the young people they are gaining an meaning to do this for years so it has been great understanding of their needs and are able to respond by referring them to relevant

to have the staff’s initiative and drive behind it.It has been a pleasure working with the Futures

programmes. I have found this to be reassuring for Team and I can’t emphasise how much we have me and I really appreciate having an agency

gained from their input and expertise. I hope we

young people.

- AM

helping me to respond to the serious needs of our

The staff make it good fun. I think it’s easier to learn that way. It gives you a chance to give your opinion without being judged. There aren’t many things that allow young people to express their opinion.- Dylan

can continue to work with them in the future!

FUTURES ONLINE

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 On the next few pages you will find a selection of some of the activities that our groups have been getting up to; a digital collage of selfcare, creativity, goal setting, personal reflection and buddy check-ins!

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Futures Online continued...

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MEN'S HEALTH GIRDWOOD COMMUNITY PROJECT Our Girdwood group ran an event at Start360's

head office in Belfast on Friday 13th March - the event was a discussion around Men's Health.

During the event they facilitated and explored

important issues such as self-esteem, body image, gender stereotypes and mental health.

The group invited many guest speakers including Victim Support NI, Andrew Tweedy Personal

Training & Coaching, TAMHI, Harland & Poof and The Rainbow Project.

The group designed and produced a small wallet

card which was distributed to those attending this

included

information

about

local

organisations that provide help and support to

men around mental health.The young people also

prepared sandwiches, baked cookies and served tea and coffee to their guests.

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Shout Out

What do our young people say about Futures...?

THOMAS' STORY Thomas Gordon began his Futures journey in October 2018, when he attended the Futures base at Start360 in Ballymena. Thomas is now a Futures ambassador; he has spoken about his experiences on local radio, and was even interviewed by BelfastLive back in February.

Before the Programme

He felt comfortable in being totally

gained 8 GCSE’s, he then attended a

was being listened to and not judged.

Thomas left school aged 16 having local Further Education College to

pursue an ICT qualification. He passed

honest at this point and felt that he

Thomas spoke to BelfastLive recently about his experiences on Futures

In hindsight he feels that just prior to

commencement, he was at his lowest

the first year of the course but dropped point and the meeting with the out in Year 2 due to mental health

facilitator was a turning point. He

difficulties. He then drifted for a period appreciated getting back into a routine and then began an ICT based placement again through regular attendance and in digital media through the “Career

structure and as the programme

other 6-week placements including one

accelerated. He added: “After a couple

Ready” programme. After a couple of with Carphone Warehouse he stopped the programme as his mental health

issues worsened. He was in and out of counselling and on a lot of medication

intensified his improvement

of weeks on the programme the fog started to lift for me.”

Thomas attributes his improvement to feeling engaged by the facilitators and

which contributed to a further period of talking among the group about taboo, economic inactivity where he felt

sensitive and controversial topics such

did not have any clue as to what I

religion. He felt empowered and

some personal issues which were

which was focussed on getting the

lacking in direction. He said: “At age 19, I as mental health, racism, sexuality and wanted to do with my life, I also had absorbing my energies.”

The Futures Experience

credited the facilitators approach

group to open up about these issues

rather than debating them. He said: “There was no right or wrong in the

Before staring the programme, Thomas discussions and I was comfortable sat down with one of the facilitators

and just talked about his life, his hopes and challenges.

speaking about sensitive personal issues.

Life-changing and transformational, it was exactly what I needed at that particular time.

APRIL 2020 | PAGE 8

"Many in the group had similar issues

In addition to improved mental health,

solidarity.”

significantly in his feelings and

so there was a strength and

Thomas found the accreditation

aspect of the programme challenging but enjoyable. There was a lot of

information to process from group

discussions, but he felt that there was enough flexibility for individual

analysis and perspective. Facilitators were on hand throughout the

accreditation process to provide support and answer queries and

questions. Thomas completed all five

he feels that he has progressed

emotions, confidence, hopes and ambitions.

Thomas co-hosted the first Futures

graduation ceremony with one of the facilitators and is now one of the

Futures Ambassadors - this group

meets weekly and have an on-going

input into programme development.

Thomas' participation has inspired him to pursue youth work as a career. He

units and achieved the full OCN Level 2 has achieved his Level 2 and has award in Personal Success and WellBeing.

Programme Impact

“Life-changing and transformational, it was exactly what I needed at that particular time.”

Thomas' mental health has now

improved considerably - he is out of counselling and on much reduced medication.

successfully gained a place on a

Community Youth Work Degree

Course at the University of Ulster starting in September 2020. Until

then, he is working part time in one of his previous ICT placement organisations.

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Mind Games In March, Northern Ireland Mental Health and Sport charity; T.A.M.H.I (Tackling Awareness of Mental Health Issues) delivered a four week programme with the West Belfast and Girdwood groups. For the Futures young people this was an amazing way to talk and learn about mental health through fun activities and games.

Armagh group's slam dunk

In February, Futures young people from City of Armagh High School took part in wheelchair basketball at the Rink in Portadown.

This activity was organised as part of their sessions on disability awareness.

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Girdwood ResidentialÂ

It seems like so long ago now - but our Girdwood Team 17 made a positive start to the New Year in January. They had their residential at Greenhill YMCA in Newcastle, where they tried some archery, laser tag and even learned first aid.Â

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W il d t s e W

Back in January, Futures West Belfast group enjoyed a trip to Ganaway Traning & Activity Centre near Mlliisle, where they braved the climbing tower and took part in some laser clay shooting.

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Creative Futures

Creative Journal club is now running online every Monday at 2pm with Amy. Visit 'Amy Futures' on Facebook for more info!

St Colm's Futures groups got creative working on Mental and emotional wellbeing.

Clonaugh Futures group have been working on a comic book called 'Bully Wars' as part of their OCN in dealing with bullying. Here are some of their sketches....

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Support services

Your facilitators and keyworkers are here to help and support you during your time on the Futures project. However, if you feel you need further support - here are just some of the amazing services that are still operating during lockdown.

Download here 2 help on your phone!