College students get a guiding hand
Students facing a range of difficulties are being given a guiding hand before joining College thanks to a project set up by young people, for young people.
Chill Out Plus began three years ago after the group received funding from the Coventry Children’s Fund to support those who are heading in to their first year of Further Education.
The project helps young people facing a variety of challenges such as care leavers who are managing independent living at the same time as education changes, students who need support after choosing the ‘wrong’ course for them and wish to switch, and continuing to help others who were given support before college, settle in to their new environment in September.
The project is also open to all first year students who can use the experience to gain a youth achievement award.
Project workers encourage students to make more friends in a secure and supportive environment allowing them to plan, organise, budget and take part in activities during the holiday periods, while helping each other through college.
More than 350 young people have signed up to the voluntary project, which is a partnership between colleges, the Coventry Youth Service and Connexions Coventry and Warwickshire.
Those first year students who complete the project can become volunteers for Chill Out Plus in their second year at college, using their own experiences to help support others.
Dawn Neale, Project Manager and Further Education Connexions Delivery Manager, said: “For some, further education can seem quite a daunting experience, particularly if they have faced difficulties previously. So the Chill Out Plus project aims to make the transition as easy as possible.
“Students who have taken part over the summer often secure places at college, settling in much easier than they otherwise may have. Many come back to use in the second year as volunteers to help others in their situation.”
Connexions Coventry and Warwickshire is run by CSWP Ltd, a membership of organisations including Warwickshire County Council, Coventry City Council and the Learning & Skills Council among others.
To find out more about Connexions Coventry and Warwickshire, visit http://www.iyss.org.uk.