Mentoring and Outdoor Activities
Young person was referred to us by Staffordshire Youth Offending Service for a 12-week intervention through the Turnaround Programme.
The young person was involved in anti-social behaviour and vulnerable to greater criminal risk-taking. To address the young persons’ needs, we delivered 12-weeks of 1:1 support, using the outdoors and outdoor activities as the vehicle for mentoring.
Our Strategy
Combine mentoring and outdoor activities to support the young person in: channelling energy; emotion regulation; building discipline; boosting self-esteem; social engagement; healthy coping mechanisms; improved focus; reduction in risk-taking behaviour; healthy lifestyle choices and informed decision making.
Being outside in nature makes me feel like I’m a million miles away from all that sh*t
Physical Health Benefits: Outdoor activities such as hiking, trail biking, and climbing encourage physical exercise and movement. In doing so, the young person is likely to expel much of their energy during daylight hours in a positive way. In turn, this reduces the desire to get rid of the bottled-up energy, which would often lead to ASB in the evening.
Mental Health Improvement: Spending time outdoors in nature has been linked to improved mental health. Exposure to natural environments can reduce stress, anxiety, and symptoms of depression, while promoting relaxation, mindfulness, and emotional well-being. In turn, this supports with better sleep patterns, less irritability and a more focused mindset.
Opportunities to Develop Communication Skills: Outdoor activities provide opportunities for young people to interact with peers, build friendships, and develop positive social skills. By asking probing questions whilst on a hike – in nature and at ease – the young person was much more able to answer, instead of feeling cornered in a classroom or office.
Enhanced Problem-Solving Skills: Outdoor activities often present challenges and obstacles that require problem-solving and critical thinking skills to overcome. Whether navigating a hiking trail, biking or climbing, the young young person learned to adapt, persevere, and communicate feelings.
Increased Self-Esteem and Confidence: Success and achievement in outdoor activities can boost young people’s self-esteem, confidence, and sense of accomplishment. Mastering new skills, overcoming obstacles, and receiving positive feedback from the mentor contribute to a greater sense of self-efficacy and resilience.
Outcome
The support we provided, alongside the vital support received from the Youth Offending Service and Social Services, the young person was able to get to the point they wanted to re-engage with education, which was unthinkable before the intervention. In addition, the young person has shown to engage less with ASB and think about consequences of risk-taking behaviour.
Leave a Reply