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17.
December
2019.
BES Lowestoft

        

 16 December 2019

Lowestoft teenager in care boosted by life-changing expedition

 For many young people being looked after by foster carers, life can be tough and self-esteem is often low. Just stepping outside the front door or being part of a group can be a massive obstacle.

But for one Lowestoft teenager an expedition to the Canadian Yukon has proved to be life transforming.

Yena Thomasi, 17, was part of an expedition arranged by NFA Group and British Exploring Society designed to boost confidence in young people who may have faced difficult personal circumstances.

Yena was ecstatic about her trip. "It was challenging, fun and sometimes a bit weird. I got to see the Northern Lights twice - we stayed up late to see them, the first time until 2am, but it was well worth staying up for.

"The expedition made me aware of my surroundings a lot more, particularly my impact on my environment. The air over there was just so clean and we were challenged to ensure we didn't leave anything that would spoil the environment."

Yena's carer said: "She really benefited from it and would do it again. She wants to keep in touch with British Exploring. NFA should be congratulated and thanked for all the support, not just financial but also all the other support given for her to access this opportunity."

In all, eleven young people under the care of NFA Group went on the expeditions to Canada and the Amazon in Peru with highly-skilled professionals and outdoor experts from British Exploring Society. The expeditions followed on from training expeditions in Scotland.

David Leatherbarrow, Group Chief Executive of NFA Group, said: "The British Exploring Society's expeditions encourage our young people to step outside of their comfort zone, and take on situations that may not be as challenging for others as they are for them.

"Far too often young people that have experienced care miss out on bigger opportunities, but our partnership with British Exploring Society is designed to change this and ensure they can access life-changing and inspirational experiences."

A spokesman from the British Exploring Society said: "2019 saw the development of two significant new recruitment relationships; with the National Fostering Agency and with Power2. An analysis of these relationships and in particular, the impact of their efforts on outcomes for young people, potentially provides useful learning for the development of future relationships for BES.

"Whilst a detailed analysis is outside of the scope of this paper, the National Fostering Agency deserves particular mention as an exemplar of good partnership working. The organisation appeared to be fully invested in the success of the partnership from the senior management level to the service level and committed to supporting additional measures on preparedness including inclusion in UK Explorers prior to an overseas expedition, detailed referrals drafted by staff, assistance with travel, clothing and equipment throughout and essential and very useful liaison with foster carers and home support networks to ensure these important stakeholder groups were appropriately informed and involved in decision making.

"Whilst a causal link will always be difficult to ascertain, it is of note that none of the NFA Explorers returned to the UK early and the feedback received from and about these participants indicates they participated with a commitment to personal development outcomes that outstripped that of Explorers referred from other, less involved, referring partners."

The 2019 expeditions have proved so successful that plans are already in place for further expeditions in 2020.

Notes to editors:

Yena Thomasi is available for interview. Please contactAngela Golland, National Quality Officer - Education on 07876 873423oragolland@nfa.co.uk

Please see also..https://www.nfagroup.co.uk/about-us/outcomes-the-difference-we-make/

and

https://www.nfa.co.uk/story/blog-news/nfa-group-partners-with-british-exploring-society-for-highlands-expedition/

NFA Group, established in 1996, provides, through its fostering division, independent professional fostering services to Local Authorities throughout the United Kingdom to make a real difference to the quality of life to those vulnerable children and young people it supports.

As the UK's largest children's services provider, the Group also supports some of the UK's most susceptible children through its portfolio of special needs schools and residential services.

www.nfa.co.uk


For further information:
 

Andrew Isaac, Group Corporate Affairs Director, NFA Group

aisaac@nfa.co.uk
Tel: 01895 200300       

Alan Rustad, JNJ Media Ltd

alan@jnjmedia.co.uk
Tel: 07976 722726

 

 

 

 

© NFA GROUP | Corporate Affairs ǀ Media Release | August 2018

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