The Fuse

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 been better than that. It has been an incredible support, a positive addition to what we do and invaluable to our young people.

Members of Redburn AEP pictured on a trip to Crumlin Road Gaol

The staff built relationships with the young people very quickly and the Futures project became something that the kids were invested in and looked forward to. The relationships have grown and the young people feel genuinely cared about by the Futures staff. They have understood our young people’s needs and tried to meet them with their own programme and additional support. The keyworker’s additional individual work with some young people helped with understanding and meeting their needs.

The programme is excellent and really relevant to our young people. The approach has really engaged our young people who have participated willingly and have managed to complete the 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. They feel comfortable to talk openly and express themselves. There are no centre staff in the room so they can say anything but yet the Futures team have really integrated with us so they don’t see them as an outside agency. Good mix. The team building trip worked really well and our young people really appreciated the opportunity.

Dylan said:

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.

Jake added:

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.

Aside from the weekly group work which has had a very positive impact on our young people, I feel that we have benefitted very significantly from the keyworking and individual referrals. First and foremost, the young people have had an invaluable 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 we were really concerned about in terms of low mood and another young person who needs additional work on anger management.

Members of the group pictured at Lagan Airsoft

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 working with the young people they are gaining an understanding of their needs and are able to respond by referring them to relevant programmes. I have found this to be reassuring for me and I really appreciate having an agency helping me to respond to the serious needs of our young people.

An educational trip to Crumlin Road Gaol

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 meaning to do this for years so it has been great to have the staff’s initiative and drive behind it. It has been a pleasure working with the Futures Team and I can’t emphasise how much we have gained from their input and expertise. I hope we can continue to work with them in the future! - AM