17 December 2019
Teenagers in care boosted by life-changing expeditions
Many vulnerable young people arrive in foster family homes after going through emotionally challenging periods of their lives. With the support of dedicated foster carers providing them with a safe and nurturing home, they are often able to triumph in the face of adversity and live out happy and healthy lives.
For eleven teenagers in the care of the NFA Group, taking part in expeditions to the Canadian Yukon and the Amazon in Peru has been the kind of life-transforming experience that can help them to overcome any personal obstacles that they want to overcome.
The young people benefitted from the adventures that were part of an initiative created by NFA Group and British Exploring Society designed to boost confidence in youngsters who may have faced difficult personal circumstances.
For all of them the expeditions took them out of their comfort zones from being out of their usual routine, which some find extremely difficult, to not being able to shower or dress as they usually would.
Add to that being in unfamiliar crowds, travelling alone or being away for the first time and just stepping onto a plane or a bus, the adventures would seem daunting. But the three who went to the Yukon and the eight who travelled to the Amazon have come back bubbling as a result of the life-changing experiences.
Yena Thomasi, from Lowestoft, went to the Yukon and said: "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 to her to access this opportunity."
Leon Smith, from Wakefield, who went to the Amazon, said: "It was a brilliant trip and I want to do more. I wouldn't have met the people I met anywhere else in my life. I would tell anyone who's thinking about it to grab hold of it."
Leon's carer said: "I was thrilled to bits for him to have the opportunity to go. Everyone involved at NFA worked hard to do their bit to help him and should be thanked for that."
The eleven young people under the care of NFA Group went on the expeditions to Canada and 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 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.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
Interviews can be arranged with young people who took part. Please contact Cobie Woods, Senior Marketing Executive on 07976316591 or cwoods@nfa.co.uk
Further images from the expeditions can be supplied.
Please see also..https://www.nfagroup.co.uk/about-us/outcomes-the-difference-we-make/
and
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.
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