PATHWAYS PROJECT
Our comprehensive Pathways to Leadership project is designed to engage young people in a programme that would run over the course of several months per group. Our project is designed to directly impact at least forty-five struggling young people every year, in their journey to increased life prospects and employability. It offers a wide range of experiences to our service users, starting with a fun and ice-breaking bicycle maintenance course, and includes 1-2-1 mentoring support and guidance, and culminates in a summer expedition to the Lake District with The Outward Bound Trust.
The first phase of the project is a bicycle maintenance course, which is offered to all the participants. Many of the young people we work with have had trouble with schoolwork and haven’t been given an opportunity to try their hand at a learned skill or a craft. Bike repair is a highly sought-after skill in London. Benefits include:
- Increased employability.
- Free bicycle for them to keep.
- Reduce their cost of transport.
- Teamwork.
- Learn about punctuality and attendance.
- Improved fitness from having a bike.
We will aim to prepare and place all of our attendees in paid work placement schemes. Through one-to-one mentoring and sustained support, we will offer a bespoke service, tailored to the individual, so that participation and engagement is more effective. We are aware that many young people face unique challenges and are often demotivated, or even unconvinced that larger infrastructures can help them or understand their specific needs.
