Teens Construct To Connect

The local economy

This intervention was deemed to provide an opportunity for the young people and their parents to explore different social communication skills, within their families and their peer groups. It inducted them into exploring a new environment in which to find out things about themselves and others, and gave them a sense of achievement and benefit from grasping an opportunity despite anxiety. Change comes through relationships and experiences, and this was a very positive, relational opportunity. One parent commented 'I was amazed to see how well my daughter persevered when the task became difficult' and another said 'It was wonderful to see my daughters supporting one another - working as a team', one of the young people commented 'I had no idea I could do that!' and another commented on how proud he felt that the team had overcome anxiety that they couldn't figure things out, by working together and gradually solving the problems step by step.

Volunteering, jobs & education

Three key volunteers supported this project, one of whom was a teenager himself. Encouraged by the project to take on a 'young leader' role he challenged himself, made an invaluable contribution to the cohort - bridging the gap between young people and adults. All volunteers developed their skills and experience through this project, and all were involved in the debriefs about the project and the future planning.

Activity, health and leisure

For many of the people involved in this project this was a new activity in a different kind of environment, with the explicit added social value of operating in a peer group. Our hope is that the positive outcome will promote further engagement in new opportunities, in other activities in social settings.