Look out behind you!

Thanks to our fantastic supporter Bloomberg, 40 children and mentors enjoyed an afternoon of booing baddies and cheering heroines at the Lyric Hammersmith.

Most of the children had never been to a panto before, so had a brilliant time getting involved with the festivities!

The classic Cinderella was enjoyed by all - including our wonderful Bloomberg Volunteer helpers. The ugly sisters (below with the Wicked Stepmother) took a real shine to Mo and Andy!

Thank you to Bloomberg, Andy, Mo and everyone involved - we had a fantastic festive theatrical afternoon!

Gareth Southgate visits the ReachOut! Academy

It was baltic outside last night.  The kids only got to play 35 minutes of football.  And even adult football in the hall was cancelled…  but we didn’t care because we got to meet Gareth Southgate at the ReachOut! Academy in Hackney!

ReachOut! volunteer Katee Hui was presented the Barclays Community Sports Award for November by Gareth Southgate for her incredible work founding and leading Hackney Laces Community Club over the past 18 months. We were lucky enough to grab hold of Gareth Southgate for 15 minutes after he presented her award, and he kindly agreed to talk to the ReachOut! Academy Year 10 boys who were also on site at The Petchey Academy at their weekly mentoring session.

Aside from our very own volunteer coach Michael Bakare, Gareth was the first professional footballer to visit the ReachOut!Academy in Hackney, and definitely the first England or Premiership player to do so.  A grand total of 22 boys, 3 staff and an amazing 18 ReachOut! mentors got to ask Gareth questions about his career and take photos before he departed for the long drive back to Harrogate in Yorkshire.  Questions ranged from ‘Are you considering a return to football management?’ and ‘What top tips do you have for our defenders?’ to simply ‘Can I have your autograph!?’.

Gareth took it all in his stride, and his responses were exactly what our boys need to hear from their role models in all walks of life.   In particular Gareth emphasized the need to always work hard at what you are trying to achieve, how important it is to want to be better every day, and that when you fail, to get up and try again.   Without meaning to he delivered a perfect session on one of ReachOut!'s core values - Staying Power!   

We’re really grateful he stopped by, and if he’s ever in the neighbourhood again maybe he could pop in to show us those top defending tips out on the pitch!

By Pete Blackwell

Bloomberg R&D turn elf for an evening

Thank you to  Research and Development Department from Bloomberg who turned elf for an evening this week! Volunteering after work, 30 people made over a hundred Christmas parcels and cards for our children at the ReachOut! Club. 

The team made brilliant elves. Should they ever wish for a snow-filled holiday, we are sure Father Christmas would give R&D a table at the workshop. We particularly commend the absolute precision and great team spirit that everyone brought to the job.

Bloomberg also support ReachOut! at the Academy, helping to fund the project and staff it with volunteer mentors. Thank you to Bloomberg for all your efforts - and keep your eyes peeled for when parcels are given in December. 

For more info on ReachOut! visit our website www.reachoutuk.org.

Let the counting of nearly 1,000 tiny chocolates begin! One, two three ..

You can never be too precise when cutting out festive pictures for the front of a Christmas card.

Or for that matter, when measuring and cutting fabric squares.

Arts and crafts really haven't changed since anyone's school days.

Five hundred and sixty seven, five hundred and sixty eight ...

These guys are very pleased to help out.

Now that's what we call team work!

The finished result. Beautiful!

 Thank you to everyone who came along, gave their time and gave their smiles to give something to our young people. We had a great time!

ROFC win Hackney Sports Club of the Year Award

Last night the volunteers and players of ReachOut!’s affiliated football club (ReachOut FC) had a moment of stardom as they took to the stage of Hackney Empire to receive the Hackney Sports Club of the Year Award!

The Award, recognising excellent club development work within Hackney for the benefit of the local communities, was presented by Anthony Joshua, Super Heavy Weight Olympic Champion.

As half of ROFC piled onto the stage (most of the U15s team was there along with two kids from the U12s, as well as volunteers Pete Blackwell, Tim Birtwistle and myself, representing the girls team!), turns were taken to hold Anthony’s gold medal and a couple of boys were lucky enough to wear it!

“I feel kinda like a celebrity!” commented ROFC U15s player Tionne.

Later, the Olympian gave some sound advice to Hackney’s young people and aspiring sports men and women, explaining how you have to make the right decisions on the weekends to be able to train hard on Mondays, and when asked what he would do if someone tried to punch him, he replied jokingly “I’d run away!” but followed it up explaining that it wouldn’t be right to retaliate, and that you shouldn’t get yourself into the position when someone wants to punch you in the first place!

The event was compered by the hilarious stand-up comedian Kat B who kept us all entertained throughout the evening but also had a few parting words of wisdom for us – whatever you want to do, be an Olympian, lawyer, doctor, consultant, or even a bin man – do it to the best of your ability. Good advice I’d say.

To find out a bit more about why the football club was nominated click here and if you’re interested in supporting ROFC, we’re always looking for volunteers who are available on the weekends to help take children to matches – if you think you might be interested please get in touch via the website www.reachoutfc.com thanks!

By Fran Blackwell

ReachOut FC nominated for Sports Club of the Year

Each year the Hackney Sports Awards recognise the achievements of the borough's sporting talent and contributions to sport at individual and team level over the past year. This year ReachOut Football Club (ROFC) has been nominated for Sports Club of the Year, however this is a sports club with a difference; founded in 2007 by Peter Blackwell, ReachOut FC is a voluntary run youth football club based in Hackney committed to helping its players excel not only in football but also in their studies. 

The club aims to field as many teams as possible per age group so that all children have the chance to play and enjoy football at their own level, irrespective of individual ability.  It is not an elite player development centre, but prides itself on offering quality coaching and playing opportunities to children and young people of all abilities, not simply the most talented.

What makes ROFC so unique as a football club are its close links with ReachOut! the charity; all ReachOut FC players must attend a one hour mentoring session before training each week at the ReachOut! Academy where they receive one-to-one help with homework from ReachOut!’s volunteer mentors, and are encouraged to develop positive character traits such as treating others fairly and working hard to achieve goals.

Peter Blackwell said “It is an honour that ROFC has been nominated.  I’m so proud of our young people who work hard every week to be able to play for their teams.  Many of the young people who have played for ROFC have become responsible young men and now volunteer within the club as mentors and coaches supporting the younger children.”  

The Hackney Sports Awards evening will take place on Wednesday 7^th November. Find out how ROFC gets on here.

ROFC is always looking for committed individuals to help offer football to more children in the area – if you think you might be interested please get in touch via the website www.reachoutfc.com

Balloon Couch Challenge

What would you do with 20 balloons, 3 rolls of sticky tape and a little bit of initiative?

Make a balloon couch obviously!!

Girls at the ReachOut! Academy this week had 30 minutes to design and build a "couch" out of balloons with their mentors. Points were awarded for how much the final version looked like their design, uniqueness and innovation, team work and communication and finally how effective it was as a couch.

Some went for an arm chair style whilst others opted for futons, but all succeeded in holding the weight of one team member for 20 seconds!!!

Rounds of applause and kit-kat chunkies for the winning team followed before "dismantling" the couches, a pretty noisy and stressful process for all involved to be honest. However one group thought their couch was so comfy they decided to take it home to watch TV!

Did you take part in the balloon couch challenge with a group of ReachOut! mentees this week? Leave a comment and tell us how you got on!

Top Tips for mentors!

We asked last year’s ReachOut! Club Project Leaders (who were also mentors the year before!) what “Top Tips” they would give to new volunteers getting involved in mentoring with ReachOut!

Here’s what they came up with!

Just being there every session and talking to your mentees about their week can make a world of difference. – Rosy Smith

Treat all the children equally, even if they are behaving differently. – Morley Zhu

Don’t stress 1 bit!!! ;) – Maxwell Uzodinma

Just talking about anything (within reason!) with your mentee is helpful to their confidence and communication skills. – Harriet (Chipie) Melesi

Keep calm and communicate with whoever is running the session, whether this be a quick word at the end to say how the session went or even an email just to keep us up to speed on anything that needs dealt with (including praising hard work!) – Bryony Orr

Have fun! Better if everyone is louder than quieter! – Ayesha Begum

Be energetic and ever present – and the kids will respond to you! – Pete Blackwell

Enjoy it! – Paul Stewart

Hope that's helpful and good luck with your mentoring!

Jeremy's Story

Jeremy Tang – ReachOut! Club Mentor 2011-12


2nd Year English Language and Linguistics student at Queen Mary, University of London

Queen Mary Freshers Fair. One of the first events of my university life and I was overwhelmed with the different societies/volunteer opportunities that were on offer, however, a small stall drew my attention - ReachOut! was promoting their cause; to mentor disadvantaged children in the local community. I signed up for more info...

Training. I was very nervous and clueless as to what was going to happen but the session went really well and I learnt many things, such as the different ways you could teach Maths (never knew how the methods have advanced so much!), techniques for dealing with challenging behaviour, and all the things I could gain from the experience.

I chose the ReachOut! Club in De Beauvoir Primary School in Hackney, and after a year there, it's safe to say I wouldn't choose another school! I would be lying if I didn't say I was apprehensive about going into Hackney for the first time. You make judgements from the news; however, it was totally misconstrued. I had no problems in Hackney and when I tell my friends back home about my experiences, they find it very hard to believe!

The first session. It was weird, setting foot into a primary school and all these memories flooding back! I met other Queen Mary and UCL students, who had signed up to the programme and it was great to hear why they were taking part; reasons ranging from wanting to help the community to considering working with children as their chosen profession.

'What had I let myself in for?' That was the question running through my head when we walked into the room with the kids. They were very hyperactive and it gave me a shock, some of them play fighting and some running around like they were on sugar. We met Maxwell, the Project Leader, and then all introduced ourselves to the kids in the order; name, favourite colour, favourite football team. Most of the kids were Man United fans; I was a Liverpool fan so I knew we would have a rivalry straight away!

Sports was a big part for the boys. At the start of most sessions we played football, promoting respect and team work in the progress. This gave the kids a chance to run around whilst enjoying themselves, whilst developing their character by working as a team and exercising fairness. However, you question your own sport skills when you get nutmegged by a ten year old! Sportsmanship can show a person's true character and this was reflected in the games we played and how some of their personalities progressed from the start of ReachOut! till the final session. Usually at the end of sessions, we joined up with the girls and played dodge-ball, which highlighted the ferocious rivalry between the girls and boys and was some fun for the mentors who tried to take it light-heartedly (even though I couldn't!).

Numeracy and Literacy. All the children were at different levels academically and needed tasks appropriate to their level. I was assigned to mentor one child and worked with him throughout the project supporting him with Maths and English. The different exercises gave it variety which didn't make it boring, and we worked in his book especially for ReachOut! (designed in the first week). The improvement was astonishing, and his handwriting also improved which is imperative. The key to any child is to guide them to the right answer, whether it be in comprehensions or maths equations, making them use their initiative and they will gradually improve in their work.

De Beauvoir has given me some great memories, specifically seeing my mentee grow in personality and academically. All I wanted when I first started at ReachOut! was for the children to take something positive from this programme, and I can safely say that everyone learnt something from their experience, whether it be their character or academically. One particular memory I will take away from my first year was when all the boys in unison went 'Oh!' in an undertone of sadness when Maxwell announced the programme was coming to an end.

I believe that I have learnt a great deal from the project myself such as learning how to deal with different situations, becoming more confident and I have been touched by the bonds that we as a group formed with the children. Managing my time with my university work and volunteering was not as hard as I thought, as long as you plan for the deadlines, the experience is invaluable and I would recommend it to anyone!

Just head to the ReachOut! website (www.reachoutuk.org) and sign up or get information from your freshers fair! As for me, I look forward to leading a group of mentors this coming year, an immense challenge that I relish.

A great year with ReachOut!

It’s often hard to see the difference you are making through all the times tables, straw towers and dodgeballs flying around.  So here are a few stats and quotes from a fantastic year of mentoring.

ReachOut! London 2011/12 in numbers

17 – the number of ReachOut! mentoring sessions each week

151 – the average number of mentors each week

204 – the average number of children attending ReachOut! mentoring projects each week

6863 – the total number of volunteer hours contributed by ReachOut! mentors

And this is what the teachers thought of the ReachOut! Club programme…

‘The children enjoyed the ReachOut! Club immensely this year. The positive impact of the one-to-one mentoring on their behaviour and self-confidence was really noticeable and I think the children are much happier about the transition to secondary school now having been supported individually this year.’ Brook Community Primary School, Hackney

‘We wish you had more places for our young people, such is the popularity of the scheme. Keep up the good work!’ De Beauvoir Primary School, Hackney

‘The boys gained from the interaction with positive role models.’ Rhyl Primary School, Camden

‘The attendance of the mentors has been good, which is very important motivation for the children. I am confident the mentoring programme has a positive impact on the academic progress and behavioural development of the children involved.’ Redlands Primary School, Tower Hamlets

‘Brilliant!  The boys love coming and look forward to their Monday sessions.’ Jubilee Primary School, Hackney

‘It is clear that the girls were greatly supported; SAT results show that individual progress and attainment was enhanced. Here are some quotes from the girls when asked if they would recommend ReachOut! to the upcoming year 6 - to which the answer was a big yes.’ Cayley Primary School, Tower Hamlets

And what did the children think of their mentors?

‘They help you with problems in subjects, explaining properly and showing different methods.’

‘We’re always having fun at the same time’

‘They help with confidence for our SATs’

‘They treat us to fun things like the pancake day’

‘Girls were like mates but like teachers as well’

‘Sports were proper fun’

‘They gave us confidence’

To become a ReachOut! mentor visit our website and register your interest now!

Summer Programme in pictures

15 days, 198 booster classes and 3 trips later, the ReachOut! Summer Programme 2012 came to an end last Friday with our Final Day Presentation.  It was another fantastic year with new activities and record numbers of volunteers!

Here are just some of the pictures we collected...

Icing Cupcakes! 

TOTKO workshop

Maths lesson...

Making parachutes in Art!

Parachute launch

Year 9 filming workshop

Showtime!

Poetry workshop with year 7

Rap-off

More maths...

Me, I know! 

English lesson, year 5

Junior Mentors 

English board games!

Artictic creations

 Face-painting! 

ReachOut! flag designed by Korede Y5

 Playground

 Races

 More races

CEO speaking at the Final Day Presentation