Explore with Public Services

The First Term The first term includes a number of icebreaking activities, helping the students to get to know each other and discover more about teamwork and the skills required.

Activities may include: • Canoeing/Kayaking • Gorge Walking • Initiative Exercises

Leadership and Teamwork Unit We expect students to take part in a two-day army work experience residential as part of the Discipline, Leadership and Teamwork Unit. During this trip the students will be put through a variety of physical and personal challenges, to develop leadership, communication and teamwork skills.

Fitness Preparation for the Uniformed Public Services As part of their course, students take part in a range of physical and sporting activities that best prepare them for the physical demands of a career in the public services. Fitness training, testing and military self-defence are regularly used to ensure individual personal development, including collaborations with Hereford Combat Academy and CrossFit Hereford.

Shrewsbury Prison A visit to Shrewsbury’s ‘The Dana’ Prison helps students understand how the justice system used to be, and how it has changed over the centuries, from Victoria prisoners, to the history of public executions.

London Trip Last year students went to visit the Houses of Parliament and the London Dungeon, as part of their study programme. The London Dungeon gave a good insight into the past, and the way that the justice system has changed over the years. The parliament trip explores how governments are run and the students took part in proposing their own laws. They later wrote their own policies and presented them to the Mayor of Hereford. Work Experience Students will work with and support various organisations during their time on the course. There is a unit solely based on volunteering and making the community we live in a safer place. The public service sector is ever-changing and recently voluntary positions have become inroads to gaining full-time employment within the uniformed services. Course content is reflective of current industry practice and the army residential is 30 hours of work experience.

Outdoor Activities Our hands-on approach to the practical units has allowed our students to gain skills that have enabled them to stand out during the application process for the armed forces and police specials. Several of our recent cohorts of students are now serving within their chosen service.

Water-based Activities

Kayaking and Canoeing Last year, 50 students took part in a trip to Cardiff International White Water Centre, where they took part in rafting and indoor surfing. The aim is to build up water-based confidence and get a taste of this exciting and dynamic environment. The water based unit aims to develop essential public service foundation rescue skills, using the same venues as the Hereford White Water Fire Brigade Response Team. Many of the students will also achieve their BCU 2 star award, which will also open up opportunities for employment in the outdoor industry. Developing your water skills will improve your water confidence, as well as complement your CV.

Land-based Activities

Climbing Students visit Gloucester, Llangorse, Cardiff and Hereford indoor climbing centre, to develop climbing and belaying skills, build trust in their team mates, overcome fears and log experience towards completing the ‘Climbing Wall Award’ (CWA) training. Caving Students visit a variety of caves to cater for all abilities and all comfort zones. There are passages to walk down and explore, and for those that want more, there are challenges to crawl along and squeeze through along the way. You will also develop some essential rope skills for rescuing trapped or injured cavers, working alongside a member of cave rescue.

Caving is excellent for overcoming mental fears of tight spaces and big caves allow the students to push their comfort zones as far as possible. This is essential development for the public services when related to smoke-filled rooms, riot squads and army operations.

Wales During the second year our students took part in both day and overnight expeditions in Wales. The skills covered count towards national governing body qualifications, such as, the Lowland Leader or Mountain Leader, which can lead to professional work in a growing industry.

Taught by professional outdoor instructors, students developed skills such as the ability to accurately read a map, use a compass and be able to plan and undertake a route.