What we do
Level 1 Award in Sports Leadership
This is a nationally accredited award in sports coaching accredited by The British Sports Trust. The award takes place over a six week block, for two days a week. Students will be required to undergo an hour's coaching experience in a local Primary School. The award is both practical and theory, but the emphasis is on the practical. The award seeks to develop sports leadership skills which are transferable to other life situations. Candidates who successfully complete the award can go on to take the Community Sports Leaders Award (CSLA).
Basic First Aid
This is a 7 hour course which is run over two mornings, led by a British Red Cross youth trainer. Young people who complete the course will be awarded a certificate in Basic First Aid. Some of the skills the course covers are:
- Burns
- Bleeding
- Broken bones
- Recovery position
- CPR
- Other common illnesses - e.g. epilepsy and asthma.
ThatReadingThing Literacy Programme
ThatReadingThing is an innovative literacy programme designed to support young people who find reading difficult. The Gap Project has three trained members of staff and seven trained volunteers to deliver the programme. Young people can be referred to us specifically for literacy support by filling in one of our referral forms. The Trainer will work through the 50 levels, one-to-one with the young person for one hour a week. The programme is based on what readers already know about reading, and therefore will work with a student at any level.
Gap Challenge Scheme
The Gap Challenge Scheme is designed to improve young people’s confidence and give them experience of activities which they might not have done before. This also provides an opportunity to acquire new skills. A young person can choose from a range of challenges already designed, or they can make up their own. Challenges can include: watching a film and reviewing it, interviewing a local MP, writing a biography of a famous person etc. Once a young person has completed three challenges, they can choose a reward challenge, these include: theatre trips, driving lessons, trips to theme parks, etc.
Day Trips and Residential Activities
The Gap Project has organised trips such as: ice skating, mountain biking, high ropes courses, go karting, meals, paint balling, visits to art galleries, museums, and sports stadia. The Gap Project takes young people on residentials at least once a year. In the past we have visited: Stubbers activity centre, Brenscombe outdoor pursuits centre and have been adventure sailing with The Morning Star Trust. The Gap Project does not view these trips as a reward for good behaviour, but a valuable part of the young people’s learning experience.
Annual Celebration of Achievement
Every summer the Gap Project invites parents and referral agencies to join us in celebrating the achievements of the young people on The Gap Project. Each young person is awarded a certificate from The Gap Project and any certificates they have gained doing accredited courses with us. This is also an opportunity to network and update everyone on the progress of the project over the past year.
Filming and Editing Courses
The Gap Project provides young people with the opportunity to learn filming and editing skills by working in partnership with Mouth That Roars film production company who are trained specifically to work with young people. So far we have produced three short films on different matters of interest to the young people. Each course usually runs one session a week for six weeks.
Self Assessments
Each new young person we work with completes a one-to-one self assessment with their project worker. This helps us to get to know the young person and establish any needs they may have. At regular intervals during their time at The Gap Project, the young people will revisit their assessment, to note any areas that have improved or declined in order that we continue to meet their needs. This assessment form also provides the young person with a means of measuring their progress.
Anger Management
The Gap Project can provide small group, or one-to-one sessions with young people looking at the issue of anger management. This course usually lasts four sessions and covers alternative ways of dealing with feelings and reacting in volatile situations.
Self-Injury Support
The Gap Project now has a self-injury support worker (Hannah), and will soon be running a self-injury support group for young women. The focus of the group will be on providing a safe space to explore issues surrounding their self-injury and facilitating the young people to support each other in this process. Hannah is also involved in work in schools and other referral units in order to improve understanding and awareness of self-injury. There is also a confidential self-injury support line (07504 800 764), for young people and others who wish to find out more.