Short Break Stories

SOAR Out of School Groups

A story by SOAR Youth Projects

We provided Out of School Groups for children and young people with multiple support needs living within the rural Ross-shire area.

The groups were held in local leisure centres and community venues and provided activities and social contact, our group enabled young people to increase their social skills, while offering regular breaks for parents and carers.

What SOAR Out of School Groups did

SOAR Youth projects recruited 8 new sessional staff and 2 new volunteer minibus drivers throughout the past year following our recruitment processes. Families were sent information regarding all activities that SOAR were offering. Parents and young people were then able to make informed choices regarding the activities the young were going to participate in. Activities for Youth Club and Holiday Clubs were chosen through feedback from Youth Club Sub Groups and feedback and evaluation from young people and their families.

During the past 12 months SOAR have delivered 129 sessions of activities which included, swim/supper club, average of 6 young people in attendance each session was run on Wednesday evening with swimming taking place in Invergordon Leisure Centre and tea was provided by local cafes from 5-8pm. Youth Club, average of 15 young people attending each session, was held in The Place on Alness, every Thursday evening from 6.30-8.30pm and Holiday Clubs, average of 13 young people attending per session at St Duthus School in Tain, Mondays to Friday 9.30am -3.30pm.

Activities have included, outings to forests, beaches, fishing, cycling parks, local leisure centres, museums. Sports including, cycling, swimming, running, football, bowling, horse-riding, pool and darts. Focus days including, baking, sensory, “make your own lunch day” “SOAR has Talent” tea party day, Halloween party. Others include, creative movement, crafts, arts, model making. A residential trip for Youth Club using feedback from young people regarding where, when and what they would like to do. (Very successful outing.)

During breaks families and Carers provided feedback on how they spent their time which included, time allowed families to spend quality time with other children, parents enjoyed the respite time and found it valuable. Some parents and carers fed back that they used the respite time for treats including visits to hair salons and having manicures done. One foster parent has taken up running.

Tyler attends SOAR Holiday Club and has been attending Swim and Supper club regularly. Tyler has developed new friendships and has made a very close friend with another young person who is a similar age to Tyler. Through attending clubs , Tyler has been able to establish and maintain friendships, which can be quite difficult for him.

Tyler’s mum also feels that Tyler can be himself with no worries as to how others perceive him. Tyler was very keen to join youth club and attended the first session he could the day after his 12th birthday. When attending the clubs, Tyler's mum catches up with chores and also spends quality time visiting Tyler’s grandmother who has dementia

Andrew is always excited to take part in SOAR' activities which is not always the case in other aspects of his life. Andrew's parents state that Andrew is always animated and discusses what he has done, who he has played with. While in contrast Andrew offers little information about his school day. Andrew's dad feels that by attending the activities, Andrew is gaining life skills, for example when Andrew went to the cinema he stayed and watched the whole film, something that would never happen on family outings.

While attending activities, Andrews family enjoy the one to one time they have with his younger brother.
Alex has very complex medical needs and requires a high level of assistance in all aspects of his life.

The family choose activities that are geared to Alex's likes, he is comfortable with the staff and staff know him well, which enables his family to relax and be comfortable knowing that Alex is safe and well.

While Alex attends clubs, his parents enjoy time doing "normal stuff " with his siblings. They use the time to meet and catch up with friends socially. Alex's mum also take advantage of the time to catch up on daily chores which is difficult when Alex is there.

Quote" We can do all of this with total peace of mind as SOAR staff know him well and can care for his complex needs which gives us as parents a level of comfort." Alex's mum.

What SOAR Youth Projects has learned

The fund has enabled us to continue to meet the needs of young people, parents and families, through the provision of out of school clubs throughout the year.

Through even more feedback from the young people and families we have been able to offer activities that the families request at times that meet the needs if the family.

A challenge we faced last year was transport, we use 2 minibuses to offer transport to children who do not live near the activity venue. The buses were very old and in need of replacement, having reliable transport is essential to out groups, However we were lucky enough to source funding to but 2 brand new mini buses which has enabled us to provide reliable transport once again.
Top tips SOAR Youth Projects's top tips for an organisation that wants to run a similar project
Tip 1:
Feedback is essential to ensure you are meeting the needs of the young people and families you support.

Evaluating the feedback on a regular basis, enables development for the future. Constructive criticism is also a useful tool in how to work on any areas that require improvement.
Tip 2:
Ensure the projects/service that you are offering meets the needs of the young people, carers and families.

Through getting to know every individual you can tailor meet the needs to suit them. We have in depth personal profiles, that lets us know each individual but also details regarding their families, which allows us the opportunities to know the family as a complete unit.
Tip 3:
Staff Training

Ensure staff are trained to meet the needs of everyone. We provide regular in houses training regarding policies and procedures. Source training from NHS, online, local schools and specialist training when required. There are lots of free online training available as well, take advantage of free training .