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HISTORY OF CHEXS
How It All Began…
Pete Maiden’s Journey
Peter Maiden, our CEO, has always been driven by his personal experiences of overcoming challenges and a deep desire to give young people the opportunities he felt he was denied in his youth. Diagnosed with dyslexia at the age of 14, Pete struggled with many aspects of traditional education, yet he had an inner drive to succeed. His early challenges shaped his approach to supporting others.
After joining the Royal Navy at the age of 16, Pete found a place where his confidence could grow. The Navy’s focus on personal development and teamwork resonated with him, shaping his belief that young people could thrive when given the right support. Over his career, Pete gained experience in physical training, sports development, and youth outreach, eventually transitioning to a career in education.
In 2007, Pete became the Cheshunt Extended Schools Manager and Assistant Head at Turnford School, where he led initiatives to support young people at risk of exclusion. His passion for helping others led him to create what would later become CHEXS.
OUR YOUTH SUPPORT PROGRAMME DEVELOPMENTS
Founded in 2011, CHEXS was born from Pete’s determination to create a positive, lasting impact on young people’s lives.
Starting with just 4 staff members, CHEXS set out to support children, young people, and families by building confidence, resilience, and essential life skills.
The GROWTH Programme, CHEXS’ flagship initiative, has supported over 3,082 children and young people through its award-winning development journey. In its early years, the programme focused on residential experiences, offering young people a multi-day, immersive learning experience. Over time, this programme has evolved to meet the ever changing needs of our young people and community to become the expansive 10-week, 10-project programme it is today.
Some key developments in the GROWTH Programme include:
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Creative Projects: From building plant troughs to creating willow deer sculptures, young people take pride in improving their school environments. These hands-on projects build teamwork, problem-solving skills, and a sense of responsibility.
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Community Habitat Programme: CHEXS partners with local park rangers and councils to enhance green spaces. Young people contribute to maintaining local parks, developing pride in their surroundings and a stronger sense of community.
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Coaching and Goal-Setting: Each young person is guided through personal coaching sessions, both in groups and one-to-one, where they set goals, track their progress, and stay focused on their aspirations.
The GROWTH Programme focuses on helping young people build in four key areas (our Pillars of support): Aspirations, Resilience, Confidence, and Purpose.
This whole family approach ensures that each young person is supported on their journey to a achieving their own personal goals.
THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR FAMILY SUPPORT TEAM
From One to Four: Growing Our Support for Families
When CHEXS first began, our Family Support Service (FSS) was a small initiative, with just one staff member providing one-to-one support for families in need. Over time, as the demand for our services grew and we listened closely to the needs of our community, we expanded the team to four dedicated staff members who now provide a broad range of support to families across our service area.
Today, our Family Support Team offers much more than just individual sessions. We are proud to have developed a diverse range of services, all designed to support families through challenging times and to empower them with the tools they need to create strong, positive home environments.
Here are some of the services we provide:
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Workshops: We run regular workshops for parents and carers, addressing key topics such as parenting strategies, mental health, emotional resilience, and SEN (Special Educational Needs). These workshops provide a platform for parents to learn, connect, and share experiences with others in similar situations.
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Top Tip Sessions: Short, targeted sessions offering practical advice on various issues, from managing behavior challenges to supporting mental health. These sessions are designed to give families easy-to-implement strategies they can start using immediately.
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FREE Community Craft Sessions: We offer fun and creative craft sessions where families can come together to engage in hands-on activities. These sessions promote bonding, creativity, and a sense of community, all while giving families the chance to connect and support one another.
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Real Talk – Peer-to-Peer Support: Our Real Talk programme allows parents to connect with others who have been through similar challenges. Through this peer support network, families can share their experiences, provide encouragement, and build lasting connections with people who understand their journey.
