Launched in January 2010, with 3 year support from The R S MacDonald Charitable Trust, Gr8 4u has, so far, supported 267 often vulnerable and challenging young people during their first year of secondary school. The project aims to makes a real difference to the lives of these young people by creating opportunities for them to develop confidence and self belief, increase their life skills, improve coping strategies and raise their aspirations. Through a programme of activities the young people are given the chance to broaden their horizons and see, often for the first time, what they are capable of achieving. These positive experiences help build a basis for constructive changes in the rest of their lives and an increased understanding of the value and benefits of committing to their formal and informal education.

Gr8 4u is delivered in three secondary schools and from various local venues 50 weeks of the year. Activities run after school, during school holidays, during school hours and at weekends providing a wide range of opportunities for young people to be involved in. Through a varied programme of issue based workshops, outdoor education, sports, award schemes and one to one support sessions we are able to discover the most appropriate medium to engage with each young person.

Young people become involved in the project in a variety of ways. Many are referred by school pastoral care teachers or social workers, often through Joint Assessment Team meetings. Others are encouraged to come along to the project by parents or guardians, and a large number are self referrals. Gr8 4u offers young people stability, support and opportunities to step away from their often chaotic surroundings at a very transitional stage in their lives.

So far Gr8 4u has delivered;

Case Study

AL has recently joined our school group sessions. When we first met AL she was very aggressive and her first reaction when spoken to by any teachers or project staff was to become defensive and confrontational. She was very quick to fly off the handle and often stormed away when working in a group situation. However over the last few months AL has become much calmer and more focused in group work. She now listens and reacts far more positively when spoken to by adults; she also gets on much better with other young people in the group. School staff have commented on the change in AL’s behaviour and very were surprised to see her helping out by handing out letters at our lunch time drop in. During a recent group task AL took on a leadership role and showed herself as a great role model to the other young people in the group. She reacts very well to positive feedback and is learning how to deal with conflict and challenges that she is set. AL has also attended a number of trips with the Gr8 4u and her behaviour has continued to improve.