The first event of the Young Leaders programme, a 1-day Leadership Skills session, was held at Brathay Trust in the Lake District at the end of July. The day included a fun team-working challenge, followed by lunch in Brathay Hall. In the afternoon we split into four teams under the watchful eyes of the Brathay coaches, Rob and Jack, and canoed across Lake Windermere to Ambleside Pier for an ice-cream stop. After canoeing back, we enjoyed our evening meal and a well-deserved rest before catching our coach back to Manchester Deaf Centre.
Over the day the Young Leaders developed skills in team building, leading instructions, problem solving and supportive leadership.
One of the young people said:
“Today was amazing at Brathay Hall. I can't wait for the residential in October – I was a bit nervous but now I feel so proud of myself.”
14 young people successfully applied to join the programme. It will continue with a second Leadership Day based at MDC later in the summer. Then, in October, we will be going back to Brathay for a 2-day residential trip with the aim of building on the leadership skills developed in the earlier part of the programme.
The Young Leaders programme was designed and is being delivered by a team from The Community & Heritage CIC in partnership with Manchester Deaf Centre, as part of Manchester Deaf Centre’s ‘Leaders with Lived Experience’ project. ‘Leaders with Lived Experience’ was funded by The National Lottery Community Fund and the aim of the project is to develop young leaders within the deaf community.
The young people’s leadership programme will be accredited through the AQA Unit Award Scheme. A new, deaf-specific Unit Award relevant to the programme has been designed by The Community & Heritage CIC and is awaiting approval by AQA. When approved, the Unit Award will be given to all the young people who qualify on the residential trip. It will also then be available for use by any other groups working with deaf young people who take part in the AQA Scheme.
