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17.
December
2019.
BES Bacup

        

 17 December 2019

 Bacup 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 Bacup teenager an expedition to the Canadian Yukon has proved to be life transforming.

Samantha Duffy, 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.

Samantha was ecstatic about her trip. "It was a once in a lifetime experience and I got a lot out of it," she said.

"I got to see the Northern Lights, which is amazing as we didn't expect to see them. We were looking for a meteor shower, which we saw, plus we saw part of the Milky Way. Then we were lucky enough to also see the Northern Lights. Since I've got back, people have been really interested in what I did and I've talked about it lots."

Sam's carer said: "Sam had a fantastic time in Canada. When she came back she was on a high, bubbly, really positive and in a good place."

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 tochange this and ensure they can access life-changing and inspirationalexperiences."

A spokesman from British Exloring 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:

Samantha Duffy is available for interview. Please contact Angela Golland,National Quality Officer - Education on 07876 873423 oragolland@nfa.co.uk

Please also see.... 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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