Growth Programme end of year update.
As the school year draws to a close, it has been wonderful to reflect on the fantastic year we’ve had at CHEXS with our young people.
In September, we welcomed over 200 amazing young individuals who have worked extremely hard throughout the year. In primary schools, children have been busy all year, both within their school grounds and out in the community. A big thank you to Green Spaces for allowing us to work on your beautiful grounds! Our young people have volunteered in a variety of parks, including Cedars Park, Cheshunt Park, Whithern Park, Old Hoddesdson Rec, and many others. They have tirelessly supported their local community by gardening, trimming overgrown hedges, and painting benches.
On school sites, the children also contributed to their school communities with creative projects such as making willow sculptures, gardening, and painting areas of the school to brighten up the playgrounds! In addition to community and creative projects, primary children had the opportunity to talk with the CHEXS team during coaching sessions. These sessions provided a safe space for the children to discuss any worries, work towards their goals, and celebrate their achievements.
In secondary schools, our young people have shown incredible dedication! We offer four main programs: Community Habitat, Role Model, My Life, and Transition. Each program is unique, and all have been outstanding this year, demonstrating significant progress among our participants.
In the Community Habitat program, the boys have been working primarily at Lee Valley, where they have diligently trimmed unwanted branches, cleaned up the local park, and removed dead trees. These outdoor tasks are challenging, requiring effort in all weather conditions, but the boys have shown remarkable resilience and made a substantial impact on their community.
The Role Model program involves students working in primary schools, assisting with creative projects and serving as positive role models. This experience has fostered a sense of responsibility and boosted their confidence. The My Life program has provided secondary school girls with valuable lessons on self-esteem, social media, sexual health, healthy relationships, and budgeting. By the end of the three-day program, the girls had a better understanding of adult life and where to seek support.
Our Warburtons Transition program has helped students move from Year 6 to Year 7. CHEXS staff visit secondary schools fortnightly to address students’ concerns and help them achieve their goals in their new schools.
Overall, it has been a busy but rewarding year for the Children and Young People’s Team at CHEXS. The children’s hard work has significantly impacted their confidence, resilience, and behavior. We extend our gratitude to our partners and funders for enabling us to support our young people. We couldn’t do it without you.
Special thanks to Edward Gosling and HCF for supporting the CHEXS After-School Project 2023-24.
Our Holiday Clubs, funded by Garfield and Weston, run throughout most school holidays. These free clubs are designed for the children in our GROWTH and Afterschool Club programs, providing ongoing support and fun activities. The sessions focus on the four pillars of CHEXS: building resilience, encouraging aspirations and goals, ensuring meaningful activities, and empowering our young people. These clubs also offer opportunities for children from different local primary schools to connect.
This year, over 50 children attended, with many returning each holiday. Most sessions were held in the Cedars Park meeting room and Cuffley Community Centre, which provided outdoor spaces for leadership and teamwork activities. We incorporated crafts, team-building, and creative activities to strengthen our young people’s abilities, encouraging them to step out of their comfort zones, make social connections, and try new things. Outdoor sports and team-building games promoted healthy lifestyles, teamwork, and leadership.
Young Person Quotes
“I can be more confident, I can express my feelings, and if I’m having a bad day, I can come to you guys and talk about it. It gets it out of my head, and then I can reset my behavior. I like coming out with CHEXS because I learn resilience and confidence.”
“When I came here, I was not confident and scared, but then I just decided to sit down and meet new people. We have done so many fun things today; I felt I could just be myself. The CHEXS staff are really nice. If I was at home, I would just be watching TV. I learned that I will not be judged at CHEXS.”
#charity #support #selfesteem #confidence #teamwork #leevalley #chexs #community #broxbourne #Hertfordshire #EdwardGosling #GarfieldandWeston #HCF
