Newstart Education Centre is a community based organisation in the Lower Falls area of West Belfast. As an Alternative Education Centre it provides a service for young people who are excluded or disengaged from the mainstream education system, as well as running classes for adult learners
Looking to harness the benefits of getting outdoors, they are looking to run a 6-week programme using an outdoor & experiential learning approach to inspire resilience building among marginalised and at-risk young people. This is part of 'Strive', a programme for young people aged 14-24, led by Include Youth in partnership with; Youth Initiatives, Newstart Education Centre, Northern Ireland Alternatives and Lifford Clonleigh Resource Centre.
David Gibney applied to the Alpkit Foundation for help towards getting essential safety and group facilitation equipment for the centre, which would allow them to continue delivering safe outdoor activity-based sessions in all environments.
He ran through a bit about what they are looking to achieve.
“This project will use a range of Adventure based experiences/sports such as Mountaineering, Mountain biking and Paddle sport to help young people in their mental & physical wellbeing.
Without this project these young people would not be able to benefit from such outdoor & adventure learning experiences. It will directly deal with issues such as drug and alcohol misuse, mental health difficulties, behavioural challenges, violence in the home and community.”
This sounded like a great project and one that could have life changing affects for many young people, we can't wait to hear how this goes for them.
“Through our Outreach Programmes during the course of any one year Newstart Education Centre have in excess of 150+ beneficiaries, young people, parents and others availing of our service provision.”