Timeout Foundation - Promoting the interests of looked after children.

Timeout Foundation Residential 9^th - 11^th July 2010

The weekend began with drinks in the coffee bar, everyone arriving by 4pm. Coldwell Centre is near Burnley Lancashire on Back Lane, Southfield, between Burnley and Hebden Bridge.

There was a mixture of excitement and tension, no one knew what to expect. Rooms were allocated, most people selecting single rooms but T and T decided to share a room. Keys were distributed and T took responsibility for the money and the tuck shop collection. She matched money to items sold and everything was perfectly accounted for.

J arrived with Michael who had driven down from S. Michael worked for the weekend as a work shift to ensure that J could attend.

Initially the group seemed a little disparate that it was unfamiliar staff, accommodation and group members.

The first meal cooked by Karen the fantastic cook was roast chicken dinner, sticky toffee pudding and custard. Almost everyone enjoyed the food and those who were a little uncomfortable sat nearby why others ate. Sitting together was both pleasant and relaxed, sharing foods and supporting one another to enjoy the atmosphere. Karen's friendly nature and willingness to feed huge amounts of whatever could be eaten added to the experience. Gary and Rebekah certainly enjoyed the dinner!!Everyone cleared the table and thanked Karen for the food. This was lovely.

A brief break and' chilling' time was followed by group work development and establishing the portfolios. The portfolios were to provide evidence of the work undertaken by both staff and young people towards the residential and the planned India Trip.

An initial activity gave the opportunity for the group to say what they hoped to achieve, almost always the comments related to wanting to learn more and have fun together as a team. This was very positive. These were shared with the group and everyone contributed.

The next group experience was to split into three groups to plan the programme of possible activities for the street children. They chose age ranges and then working together recorded possible activities that could be shared. I observed the group for group participation. leadership and willingness to join in. The focus was on participation and feedback. All the young people participated fully and notable comments would be; T's leadership. P's practical skills, J's ideas, N's sharing of ideas and T's overall enthusiasm and leadership also supporting of P. P recorded his work and this was wonderful. Everyone fed back their ideas.

This was followed by a discussion about what India would be like and sharing of ideas, experiences and necessary actions and plans for the next three months. Everyone listed and recorded as appropriate.

After one and a half hours the group broke for fun activities.

Sleeping lions, key game, animal actions , statues, table football and pool were played alongside chilling and watching TV together. Supper was made and toast was available alongside 'buckets' of tea. Everyone participated in activities and shared the experience positively.

Bedtime was eleven and everyone was upstairs by eleven ten- unbelievably good. A little wandering and the last cigarettes were smoked. Sleep for everyone by twelve thirty. Was this really a residential?!!

Saturday

By nine o'clock in the morning everyone had good humouredly got up and was ready for breakfast. This was after the sunny singing of staff and the 'knocking' of doors , without abuse being the response. No swearing was heard, but smiles and 'good mornings'.

A cooked breakfast which was amazing was enjoyed by everyone. Karen accommodated everyone's needs. Nothing was wasted at all. Appetites were huge.

Preparations were made for a busy physical day. Trainers, trousers and waterproofs/ fleeces were ready for the activity. T was coping well with the Hay-fever .A quick call to J and a trip to Nelson by Gary achieved a result and appropriate medication alleviated the problem.

The Outdoor Team arrived from 'Outdoor Elements'- Jim and Dean. Not forgetting the important member Bert the dog. A health and safety talk led us into the first activities of the day and the allocation of equipment. Goggles and helmets were the order of the day. Blindfolded and in the dark.

Jim and Dean had prepared a nightline obstacle race. A line was formed with hand holding and the group set off. Everyone guided each other through the obstacles without mishap. Only sensible behaviour and a sense of fun but trust ,was in the place. Words of support were given to each other by everyone. It was fantastic, and when you finished ahead of others, quite hilarious!

We then arrived at the clearing, the next activity was to build a shelter and light a fire to keep warm and provide cooking facilities. The teams split naturally into two and the process was amazing demonstrations of co-operation. Tarpaulins were hung from branches and then moved to form better sites. The fire was built and discussions about what fuel was available was held. Stones were used to protect the fire and surrounding areas. Everyone again contributed to the discussions. J was climbing the tree and following instructions about his safety. T suggested using logs in addition to the pegs to hold the structures firm. T used the idea of fixing the top and ground sheet firmly together. Everyone contributed and alongside keeping Bert busy with retrieving the ball.

The fire provided a great opportunity for toasting bread and marshmallows. Everyone enjoyed the food and learnt about the safety and the use of stripped willow toasting forks.

After the fire was safely doused and all evidence removed the shelter was quickly dismantled and equipment stored safely away. Time for lunch! More food.

A quick packed lunch was demolished- everyone had a huge appetite again. A really positive atmosphere ensued.

The afternoon began with group selection of challenges to gain money towards buying equipment for the rope challenge.

Four were chosen which gave different experiences for the group. These began with a Human Knot, holding hands and twisting into a tangled mess of bodies. The level of contact although intimate was handled so well and not one person misused the contact. After a long period of suggestions, climbing over arms and legs the knot untied. Safe-guarding never raised it's head.

The second activity was transporting a bomb across a rope circle without touching the ground. P led on this activity and quickly gained the solution and successfully removed the bomb. The group applauded his success with enthusiasm.

The third activity gave everyone the chance to support each other over the 'swamp'. Everyone participated and the team was successfully transported safely across the swamp. Everyone followed instructions and supported each other to achieve.

The forth was possibly the most complicated with an obstacle race and potential explosions. Information sharing, group co-operation and feedback was crucial. Systems were created by the group and they successfully crossed the course. The level of co-operation was amazing and the results brilliant.

Full points were achieved allowing the group full access to all equipment and additional expertise from the instructors.

The site to form the rope crossing was about one mile away and equipment and group were walked to the site. This included safe behaviour on roads and a hill-side. Support across the route was evident to those who were less physically able than others. Help over stiles was offered to each other.

Decisions were made to build the rope crossing and this quickly began. Everyone joined in and the discussions ensued on positioning of ropes and pulleys. Carabiners were fixed and the group took turns to travel across the ravine. The level of encouragement shown to each other was high, but the fun was amazing. Staff and young people swung precariously( but safely) across the ravine. N obviously enjoyed this activity and was pleased with her achievements. This was thoroughly enjoyed as a culmination of the day.

The instructors were both thanked without prompt by the young people. They all fed back that they had enjoyed the day. The feedback from Dean and Jim was that they were brilliant as a group and that T who had been reluctant and worried had exceptional leadership skills.

The instructors were both thanked without prompt by the young people. They all fed back that they had enjoyed the day. The feedback from Dean and Jim was that they were brilliant as a group and that T who had been reluctant and worried had exceptional leadership skills.

The evening was spent on further portfolio work, discussing fund-raising, ideas for work, accreditation to be gained and evaluation of the activities. They were amazed by the costings of the accommodation and the activities and a discussion was held about the value and benefits of both.

Later games including team games with balloons, charades and a pool competition. Some tiredness showed through but J successfully won the pool championship and for this he thanked the staff! The balloon game was brilliant in demonstrating a sense of co-operation and team work whilst a great deal of fun.

Hide and seek completed the night. A midnight bedtime was adhered to! Goodnight!

What tensions? A few relationship issues between the girls but with staff support these were kept low level and they co-operated in dealing without continuation of the situation. Levels of maturity were high and solutions were reached. The future of the India trip is cemented in positivity- we are looking forward to October.

Quotes from the weekend;

• J-'experienced different things'
• B 'meeting new people'
• A 'working together as a team'
• G' eating together at the table'
• T 'falling off the rope bridge'
• D'the zip wire'
• P'been fun'
• T 'the activities we had to do'
• M'everybody getting on well together'
• A'everybody having fun and getting on together'
• C'an amazing weekend, well done everyone'
• N 'it was an really good, really enjoyed it'
• Karen the cook' they are just like any youth group. They are great!'

The staff team worked well showing all skills we had hoped for and clearly working as a team. Gary continuously worked in his inimitable style, Rebekah and Amy befriended and mentored, Diane and Anne showed high levels of care and support. I just enjoyed the opportunity as a trustee to share in the experience, work with a good team and spend real quality time with a great team of young people-TEAM INDIA is created.

Caroline Potter

9^th - 11^th July 2010