Written by Russell Henderson (BTP) and Anna Webster (Connexions)

 

Name of Activity:           Kick Start Kart Wheels 

Area:                             Southmead

Date of Project:             July 30 - August 17 20007

 

Lead Worker:               Russell Henderson                        BTP

In partnership with:      Anna Webster                              Connexions West of England

                                     Adam Rook                                  Connexions West of England 

                                    Jonathon Beswetherick                Avon & Somerset Constabulary

                                   

No. Young People:       7  

Age:                             15-16

Ethnicity:                      Wh uk                           

                                   

Aims and Objectives:

 

Wheels Objectives

• Minimum of 80% attendance and completion rates.
• To learn basic skills in kart assembly.
• Improved life and social skills
• A basic awareness of road safety.
• A sense of achievement
• Improved behaviours on returning to referring organisation.
• Reduction in criminal activity (if appropriate)

 

BTP Objectives

• To foster positive relations with the Police and Youth workers.
• To reduce anti-social and risk of offending behaviour by modeling appropriate behaviour.
• To engage with YP in order to support there progression to other learning opportunities.

 

Activity:

6 sessions lasting 2.5hrs in a workshop stripping and rebuilding a Kart.  Half an hour per session as focused groupwork delivering Road safety and Drug information.

 

Final session – Karting activity – approx 4hrs.

  

Session 1

 

YP made their way to pick up point without reminders and chased up each-other.  One YP did not make the pick up time.

 

All participated in the H&S input.  Girls more vocal than the boys and the Boys more 'boisterous' than girls towards end.  Did not affect learning.

 

Mechanics interacted well with YP, friendly but strict. 

 

Learning points:

 

Define break times

Make clear not our responsibility to feed YP lunch.

To ensure there is line of sight between staff.

Bring biscuits for break times.

Session 2

Full attendance.  Session went well,  all YP keen to get started - prompted to put overalls barrier cream and boots on and then got their chosen karts out.

Started to strip karts working on three karts, two boys on one, three girls on the other and lastly a mixed pair.  Staff supported the two smaller groups.

Had first ‘sit-down’ session, informal chat from one of the mechanics.  Some YP (Boys) did not appear take session seriously and subsequently one YP was spoken to re swearing.  Some YP (Girls) became upset during this session and said they did not want to talk about the subject (as knew a friend who had died in a crash).

Learning Points

To speak to whoever is doing the group-work session and check content.

To advise all staff that most of these some YP have had recent exposure to a fatal accident involving friends and may come out with differing emotional responses.

To feedback idea of having some time at the start of the day to catch up gain an awareness of how everyone is doing, what they have been doing since last session and to establish breaks.

Session 3 (written by Police student)

The journey was fairly relaxed because the driver had a CD player in the minibus and was open to suggestion about what track should be played.

When we arrived the atmosphere was positive and Jerry was in good spirits which allowed the youngsters to relax. There was a little period where they chatted and had a laugh and a joke. Then it was down to business.

The first task was to sand down the frame of the go-karts. I was working with two of the young lads when it came to their attention that I was a policeman (had been mentioned previously to group)’ There was a little bit of whispering and reference to ' the old bill' but once we were working as a team it seemed to be forgotten to a degree.

The general mood at the time was positive.

We had a tea break and I took the opportunity to chat to some of the girls about their opinions of the police and what they thought the police could do better. I was a little surprised by their negativity towards the police in general, but they were friendly to me.

We then proceeded to paint the karts and the communication improved at the same time.

We had another short break and then listened to a former policeman give a brief talk on attitudes to offending (Vehicle Theft). It was agreed that it was a positive talk because he gave reference to his personal experiences.

In conclusion it was agreed that the day was a success with lots of positive attitudes and no unhappy youngsters.

What also came to light was how suspicious the youngsters were of my POCKET NOTE BOOK. We decided that I should let them know what it is used for i.e not here to take notes on them.’

Learning points

A Police Pocket book is not the ideal recording method in this situation.  If notes are to be taken in front of students using then notes to be shown to them.

Continue to liaise with group facilitator for next session:  YP profiles in terms of offending/risky behavior to be shared (Cannabis use, watching Car displays, getting in stolen vehicles as passengers). 

Session 4

Transport went well, reminded all to put belts on.  1 YP did not attend due to Asthma.

Kart Paint was still wet so we worked on car engines, stripping 3 engines down.  Boys slow to engage and Staff had to motivate to get them going.  One looked very tired and again had not eaten breakfast/lunch (same for every session).  Possible ********* issues to look at outside of this group.

Group worked well stripping engines down and BTP staff backed off to allow YP to work directly with mechanics.

Group-work session spent looking at a video of police in Canada tackling Homelessness and Drug use.  Video content focused on heroin/class A drugs after which we had a discussion around alcohol/cannabis. 

Learning Points

Follow up work around possible ******** issues with 1 YP.

Session 5

Full attendance.  Rebuilt karts - all groups worked well.  Girls more confident with tools and working together/problem solving.  

Session continued on drug use - footage of People using Class A drugs and Hallucinating.  Conversation re. Alcohol and behaviour after video.

Went to MC Donalds on the way back as a reward (was going to be on the last day however one student had an interview and 1 YP had not eaten/looked unwell/faint.

Learning Points

Felt too much emphasis on Class A use but session well structured and some good conversations.  Mixed group works well.

Session 6

Poor attendance, One YP had an interview however 3 others did not attend.

(YP comments who did not attend later said that as they had completed there Karts they felt they had completed the sessions.  Also due to the fact that they were aware they could miss one session before risk missing final activity.)

Group rebuilt engines and watched the remainder of the Canadian film about Heroin use. 

Learning Points

Emphasise that all sessions are to be attended (reflected in attendance on certificates?)

Session 7

All met at YC for 9.30a.m then drove to the raceway.  Mixed group from Withywood and Knowle West but no obvious friction.  All listened to briefing then we were soon doing warm up laps.  All very organised by Raceway with no-one having to wait to long and good safety instruction.

One YP was ‘Black-flagged’ early on for overtaking on a yellow flashing light.  This seemed a genuine mistake and he was very upset however did manage to keep his cool by talking to staff and 'walking it off'.  Two of the girls soon proved themselves by beating most of the boys from other groups.  One of the boys from our group finished 2nd overall with the girls taking 3^rd and 4th.

Group completed evaluation forms at the end of the session. 

Learning Points

In some ways evaluation during activity is not ideal as could skew opinions given excitement of activity and disruption around them however the forms were filled out well.

Overall Evaluation of Activity

The group was well attended and thoroughly enjoyed by YP and staff.  The Main benefits were:

·         Sense of Achievement and increased Self-esteem (‘I can’ attitude).

·         Transfer of trust from known workers to new staff.

·         Solidifying of a positive friendship group that has an enabling trait.

·         Linking in of services Connexions and BTP – (future supportive work in place).

·         Improved view of Police, from ‘all Police are bad to some Police are ok’

·         Practical skills improvement/H&S awareness.

·         Some increased knowledge around Drugs/impact of Vehicle crime.

·         Attendance (combined) 88%

·         Breaking stereotypes as to what is ‘boys stuff’ – One Girl saying that she had wanted to work with children and now would like to be a mechanic. 

Education/Training

4 YP have gone onto college, 1 YP has increased attendance at school, 1 YP is now agreeing to meet with a connexions worker where he had previously refused the service.  1 YP no change.  Some YP had arranged independently to go to college this September however it was felt that their progression through this course has decreased the chances of them dropping out by increasing support networks and personal resilience.

The benefits are significant, increased self-confidence has a knock-on effect in different areas ranging from being able to say ‘No’ to getting involved in crime to being able to say ‘Yes’ to positive opportunities.

The majority of students are moving on to other courses meaning that those who are not making the same progress feel ‘left behind’ and want to catch up.  They are also in touch with people (BTP/Connexions) who can give them the support they need.

General Learning Points

Needs more focus on Pills/Cannabis/Alchohol in terms of drug use and less on Heroin (YP/BTP/Connexions feedback).  * for this group.

Would benefit from a bigger Road safety element and consequence of crime (BTP/Connexions).

Overall Assessment of Effectiveness

Minimum of 80% attendance and completion rates.	88% (three YP 100%)
To learn basic skills in kart assembly.	Yes
Improved life and social skills.	Yes
A basic awareness of road safety.	Yes.  Limited to short discussions.
A sense of achievement.	Yes.  Positive change noticed by other agencies and parents.
Improved behaviours on returning to referring organisation.	Yes.  Follow up work taking place and individuals progress will be tracked.
Reduction in criminal activity (if appropriate).	No.  YP put on their evaluations that attendance did not mean they were any less likely to commit crime.
To foster positive relations with the Police and Youth workers.	Yes.  Via Police based at Wheels and BTP Police Student supporting group.
To reduce anti-social and risk of offending behaviour by modelling appropriate behaviour.	Yes.  Learning took place at Wheels in terms of ground rules, on transport to and from facility and BTP sessions.
To engage with YP in order to support their progression to other learning opportunities.	Yes.  Support given to attend interviews, apply for grants, transport and to set up relevant meetings.