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ImPACT
OUr 12 WEEK PILOT
We engaged with 12 families that were based across Bristol and South Gloucestershire. School exclusion or absence was almost universal. 92% of participants were either out of school, unable to attend regularly, or receiving alternative provision, with many having been absent for several months or years. Around 83% of participants either had a diagnosis of autism, ADHD, dyslexia, or were awaiting assessment, suggesting the project was supporting a predominantly neurodivergent group. Before the project started 67% of the group reported little to no interaction with anyone outside the home.
Confidence and self-esteem where consistently low. Parents described 92% of participants as having low, very low, or extremely low confidence. Informed by this all young people were paired with a mentor. These pairings were based on meetings that took place prior to the beginning of the project. Sessions were then delivered using Empowering Futures person centred approach, responding to the interests and needs of the young people.
Our Approach
A typical weekly session would look something like this:
- Your mentor meeting you at the gate on arrival.
- Spending time with the animals, interacting with, feeding and caring for them.
- There is then the opportunity to get involved in a number of fun activities, such as arts and crafts, woodwork, cooking, music and much more.
- At the end of the session, we might hang out in the Hub area, playing games or chatting before rejoining parents.
- We walk you to the gate and look forward to seeing you the following week.
Our Impact
All 12 of the young people and their families completed the 12 week project. Every participant attended regularly throughout the series and demonstrated a strong commitment to the project as a whole.
- 100% completion of the project
- Average weekly attendance was 86%
We consider this attendance rate to be exceptionally high, and a string indicator of the project's success in terms of providing an accessible, sustainable and socially benefical provision.