Community and recreation skills

Many of the courses run by Fairbridge focus on activities which involve the young people in new and challenging activities which help them to push the boundaries of their comfort zone. From snowboarding and climbing to composing and performing, the range of activities is always expanding.

Other courses involve the young people in working with or thinking about the communities around them and help to build a sense of responsibility.

Course example: Building Boxcarts

The Boxcart challenge course held at Fairbridge West is a brilliant example of how a simple course can provide both learning opportunities for young people and a way to involve people from the local community in what Fairbridge does.

The local branch of clothing brand howies had already had some involvement with the centre and wanted to do something else so the team at Fairbridge West challenged them to a boxcart race. They offered to provide the space for the build day and two of their staff joined four young people to make up 'Team howies' and 'Team Fairbridge'.

Wood, wheels and tools were provided and the two teams (each made up for two young people and one member of howies staff) had 15 minutes to come up with the design of their racers. They then had one day to complete the build. The challenge meant that the young people had to use their teamwork, planning, organisation and negotiation skills. On top of that, Fairbridge staff were on hand to teach them how to use the tools safely and by the end of the day, two downhill-ready boxcarts had been created! The next day was race day where the young people could see the results of all their hard work.

Matt from howies said, "We had a great time over the two days working alongside the young people and we could see that they got a lot out of the event. They worked extremely hard and we were impressed at how well everyone worked together."

The course inspired everyone, here is what Crystal, 16, had to say about taking part: “I thought the box cart challenge was great fun, it was a good experience as I haven’t done wood work at all before. It was also really good to work with people who weren’t involved in Fairbridge who wanted to get involved with us. We all worked as a team and I got along with everyone! Fairbridge has taught me that if you have a dream no matter how long it takes to follow it, just keep trying and don’t give up!”

See a short film made about the boxcart course

Read Crystal’s case study

Read all about a community allotment course run by our Teeside centre

For details of courses running at individual centres visit their site.