How we do it

Induction

Young people are introduced to the Fairbridge staff, programme, atmosphere and approach to ensure that they are prepared and supported to begin their Access Course.

89% of the young people we engaged in 2008/09 had three or more presenting needs

The Access course

Every young person at Fairbridge has an Access course story to tell.

Designed to develop a range of personal and social skills, the Access course is outdoor focused and includes a number of challenging activities such as climbing, canoeing and caving - all designed to build confidence, develop team work and challenge negative behaviour.

Having run Access courses for over 25 years, we know that outdoor activities – when delivered correctly - are a brilliant vehicle for developing personal and social skills, amongst young people of all shapes, sizes and abilities. Even if a young person arrives on the first morning, hood up and not speaking – as they often do - by end of this amazing experience they will inevitably be encouraging each other, communicating and working as part of a team.

See images from one of our Access Courses, taken by award-winning photographer Claudia Janke.

Last year 85% of young people completed their challenging Access course

Follow on

The aim of Follow On is to provide young people with courses which are targeted at their individual needs and circumstances, in order to best support their personal development. Follow On consists of a range of courses, projects and activities that vary in duration, content and medium, and which cover a ‘curriculum’ of personal and social and secondary life skills.

Find out more about the kinds of courses we offer in the 'Courses and projects' section.

75% of young people chose to engage in follow on activty after their access course last year

Moving on

This is a process rather than an event, and a young person can ‘move on’ from Fairbridge into alternative provision or a more stable lifestyle while maintaining a support link until such a time as they feel confident to exit completely.

Exit

Young people exit the Fairbridge programme when they are able to cope independently in terms of lifestyle and other positive alternative engagement. Being able to cope and make positive choices by themselves is a huge step for these young people – they leave with the reassurance that they can come back if they need us.

Over the past 12 months alone over 70% of the young people we worked with have gone on to achieve something tangible like get a job, start a college course or return to the classroom.