Guernsey Youth Service’s play scheme is popular with children throughout the summer months. Group leader Nick Legg, pictured in red T-shirt, has been helping organise events for six years. (0233973)
WITH summer fast approaching, the folk at the Guernsey Youth Service are getting busy preparing their play scheme.
Each year they look after 90 children and keep them occupied with loads of activities. However, the service also provides the opportunity for teenagers to take part in organising activities and looking after the children.
‘It’s a great way for people to develop leadership skills,’ explained group leader Nick Legg.
‘I have been doing it for six years now and it really helped me gain great people skills as well as good training in child protection and first aid.’
Nick has not long finished his degree in theatre arts and special needs and the play scheme was a great platform when he started university. Both he and Ollie Dowding are group leaders and live, sleep and breathe the scheme.
‘All the time I am thinking about new activities,’ explained Ollie.
‘It’s good – we’re a close team and it is important to be passionate and enthusiastic about it.’
The service runs five days a week and offers many activities such as sailing, swimming, talent shows and trips to Herm. Each day is different, ensuring all the activities are fresh and ‘boring’ is a word never uttered.
‘All the staff meet at the end of the day to review what we had done and how we can improve it,’ explained Nick.
‘We involve the children by getting feedback from them. It is important for us to continue reviewing what we do to make sure every activity is the best it can be. We call it quest for quality.’
As well as having the fun factor, the activities have been carefully organised to help children work on their confidence, people skills and individual needs.
‘We have such a broad range of children,’ said Nick.
‘From four right up to eleven, from all different schools, we see children from all different backgrounds – this is a place where they can mix and work on their personal weaknesses, whether it be a sport or acting and a chance for them to learn a new skill.
‘So when the staff meet, we are always thinking of beneficial activities as well as fun ones.’
All the group leaders are trained in first aid and health and safety and all the activities are risked-assessed and planned well in advanced – leaving parents free of concern.
‘At the end of the day, we’re not here to get paid – we’re here to provide a service.’
- Applications for children to join the play scheme are available at the Youth Centre in Brock Road.
- Alternatively, you can get one online at www.education.gg/7.cfm.
Article posted on 5th June, 2008 - 3.32pm
Loading ...
Most Commented: