Last night we threw a fantastic event to launch our 2013-14 Impact Report. Over 80 of our supporters joined us to hear some fascinating speeches and meet others involved in character education, against a panoramic backdrop of London on the 11th floor of Macquarie Group’s offices.
Our CEO, Xavier, kicked off the event by explaining ReachOut’s mission.
‘ReachOut
was set up to teach both character and competence to children and young people
living in disadvantage. The important word here is “both”, because both
ingredients are necessary if we really want to help young people grow to become
publicly spirited individuals, with high aspirations, able to make a positive
contribution in society, able to lead flourishing lives and able help others to
do likewise.’ This idea was explored and emphasised in the rest of the evening's speeches. In addition, Xavier took the opportunity to thank all ReachOut’s mentors who help
us work towards this goal.
Baroness Clair Tyler, co-chair of the APPG for Social
Mobility gave our keynote speech outlining why character education plays such
an important role in improving young people’s life chances. She started by
pointing out how depressing it is that ‘in the UK, your circumstances still
determine your chances’. Noting that social mobility has flat lined since the
1970s, she described character education as the missing link in changing this
trend. ‘Character and resilience are not just instrumental tools, they are
closely linked to emotional health and wellbeing…That is why organisations like
ReachOut are so precious.’
Nick Soar, Headmaster of Bishop Challoner Girls’ School,
spoke about the impact of character education on his students. Character is
taught in all areas of school life at Bishop Challoner, including at our
ReachOut Junior Mentors project. Bishop Challoner is in one of the most deprived boroughs in London and Nick Soar noted that this affects all the pupils in his
school in some way, leading to low levels of aspiration, low expectations, poor
literacy and numeracy levels and lack of cultural enrichment. Nick emphasised
that character focused education can help young people overcome these obstacles
to social mobility.
‘We can teach character and to do that we need outstanding organisations
like ReachOut. One of the great things I’ve seen, is that the first cohort of
girls who got involved in ReachOut, who fought and truanted, came back to
volunteer on our Summer Project and role modelled good behaviour to other
pupils.’
Finally, we heard from some of the boys and girls involved
in our Junior Mentors programme at Bishop Challoner. They outlined some of the
fantastic things they've done over the last few years including volunteering
packing bags and running bake sales, planning events like a quiz night and
silver service dinner and going on an outward bound trip. In addition, they
have been fundraising for Meningitis Now this year as part of their project.
They will also be volunteering on the ReachOut Summer Project at their school
this year. Several of the young people pointed out how much they had gained
from the project.
‘Mentors help us improve as people and learn leadership skills.
They help us become mentors in the future.’
‘I’m more assertive and confident and I can work in a team.’
‘ReachOut gave us the opportunity to do something called an
outward bound trip. It made me more confident and open minded. I wouldn't have
done it before. In fact, they offered me a scholarship to come back to the
outward bound trip next year!’.
There is no better evidence for the impact of our character
education programmes, than 10 of our young people putting in the time and
effort to do so much great work and even volunteer for ReachOut. On top of
this, they have the confidence to stand up in front of over 80 people and
speak about their achievements and goals. As Xavier said at the start of the
evening, ‘The greatest testimony to our work is the desire of former
participants to give back through volunteering, bringing the process full
circle.’ We’d like to thank the Junior Mentors and everyone else who came along
to make the event such a success and we’d also like to thank Macquarie Group,
for kindly hosting the event for us.
Please read more about our impact by downloading the report
here.
No comments:
Post a Comment