In 2015, Oxfordshire Youth worked with the Institute of Leadership and Management to transform their well-recognised adult leadership programme into a programme designed for young people aged 14+.
We ran the programme over three days, which combined leadership workshops and outdoor activities to facilitate learning, culminating in the young people leading a social action challenge, workshop or activity to demonstrate their learning. Through the programme, young people gained an ILM Level 2 Award in Leadership and Team Skills.
This programme, which saw 200 young people gain a qualification in the first three years, has evolved, and Oxfordshire Youth now has a range of programmes that weave in the ILM qualification, to make it accessible to young people of all abilities to access the course and gain the qualification. These include:
Team building and leadership workshops followed by a leadership activity led by young people, a Leadership Day, and a graduation event. This programme is available to young people aged 14-21 in youth sector organisations in Oxfordshire, enabling them to develop skills to lead in their settings.
A three-night residential programme followed by a leadership activity led by young people, a Leadership Day, and a graduation event. This programme is available to young people aged 16-25 in work and in apprenticeship and graduate programmes.
A programme delivered in schools, for young people who are at risk of exclusion. This programme includes workshops based on the specific needs identified by the school and the young people. Example workshops include: drugs and alcohol, mental wellbeing, positive relationships, protective behaviours. This programme also introduces the young people to their local youth provision, with the aim that the young people feel confident about accessing a safe space to go with peers.
An employability programme for young people who are not in full-time education, employment or training. This is currently being delivered to young people in YPSA.
Supporting the transition from Primary to Secondary School. A leadership programme that equips children in Years 7 and 8 with the skills to develop content and resources for workshops on wellbeing and resilience, which they then deliver to Year 6 children who are moving to their secondary school.
A programme delivered in schools, for young people who are at risk of exclusion.
Supporting the transition from Primary to Secondary School.
The Improving Life Chances programme uses sport and physical activity to empower young people throughout Oxford City to improve their physical, personal, and social development.