TurnAround Hackney is a youth intervention programme that runs for 9 months, working with vulnerable young people in and around the Hackney community. We’re looking to recruit and train mentors drawn from the community to support our young people. The programme aims are to develop young people’s social and personal skills, to learn to set positive goals and develop healthy relationships and the confidence and self esteem to manage themselves safely. We work primarily in nature outside of Hackney, but mentoring would take place in Hackney itself, with mentors invited to take part in several of the outdoor activities. The mentor role is critical in delivering a range of positive and reliable role models.

Mentors receive accredited training and an opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of these young people, many of whom feel hopeless and have experienced some of the toughest experiences in their young lives. You are offered regular supervision and support.

We ask for a commitment of up to one-two hours a week of your time, with the occasional Saturday and one weekend. The project will last for nine months.
Appointment is subject to a written application and interview. References will be taken.

For further information please contact Jo or Richard at the Wilderness Foundation UK on 01245 443073

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Volunteer mentors needed for disadvantaged youth in Hackney

This is always a popular evening and tickets sell out fast, so please book soon to avoid disappointment.

We look forward to seeing you.

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Wildlife Photographer 2012 tickets now on sale

Bushcraft Weekends:    20th-22nd April, 29th June – 1st July, 3rd – 5th August, 28th – 30th September

Wilderness Awakening 5 day course:    29th April – 4th May (nearly full), 1st – 6th July

Deer in a Day course:    6th October

Wild Food Foraging days:    27th May, 7th October

Wild Food Foraging Spring weekend:    4th – 6th May (nearly full)

Wild Food Foraging Autumn weekend:    21st – 23rd September

Weavin’ & Whittlin’ weekend:    8th – 10th June

Advanced Whittlin’ & Carvin’ weekend:    15th – 17th June

Advanced Weavin’ & Craftin’ weekend:   22nd – 24th June

Primitive Tools weekend:    24th – 26th August

Wilderness Awakening part 2, Advanced Crafts:    5th – 11th August

Wilderness Awakening part 3, The Hunter Gatherer:    14th – 21st September

Wilderness Navigation weekend (North Wales):    26th – 28th October

For more details on any of the courses please visit http://www.wilderness-survival.co.uk/courses/

Please mention the Wilderness Foundation UK when booking or making further enquiries.

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Wilderness Survival Skills courses 2012

Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority, the Cairngorms National Park Authority and Scottish Natural Heritage are conducting a survey of the public’s perception of ‘wildness’ and ‘naturalness’ of land cover in Scotland.

MVA Consultancy and Research Now have been commissioned to design and conduct this survey using a representative sample of the Scottish populati0n, and among residents and visitors to the two National Parks.

If you would like to participate in the survey, in confidence, please click here

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Public perception of wildness in Scotland

Trinity House shown in the foreground - our new office with an extra 400 sq feet of office space

As part of our phased expansion plans, the Wilderness Foundation UK will be moving to larger offices within the Whitbreads Business Centre development.   With effect from Thursday 9th February 2012 our updated address details will be:

Our telephone and fax numbers remain unchanged.

To faciliate the move, we will be closed for business on Wednesday 8th February and Thursday 9th February 2012.

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Moving to larger premises

At 8:00 a.m. on 29th May 1999 Cathy O’Dowd, a 30-year-old mountaineer from South Africa, stepped onto the summit of Mount Everest and into history.  She had become the first woman to climb the highest mountain in the world from both its south and north sides.

During her presentation to our 90 strong audience, comprising of Friends and Supporters of the Foundation, Trustees, inspirational business women and mentors who have worked with our Wild Swans, as well as a group of our Swans themselves, Cathy told us of the true challenges that face you when climbing Everest, and that they might not be what you immediately think.  Yes, the ice and the snow and the harsh environment are challenges, but what truly defines you is how you respond to the inner struggles that you must overcome, the hidden strength that you must draw on to achive your aims and discover the leader within.    All of this resonated with our young Swans, who had been on their own journey of exploration in nature, discovering more about themselves, the issues that matter to them and that are challenging us all, as well as their ablity to make a difference to all our futures.

Very sincere thanks to Cathy for sharing her story with us, as well as the team at Haberashers’ Hall, particularly our Guest of Honour, Deborah Knight, current Master of the Haberdashers’ Company and the very first female Master in the history of all the twelve great Livery Companies of London.  Deborah gave a wonderful introduction to the evening, celebrating the strength’s and successes of women as leaders, before inviting Cathy on to the stage.    The evening was closed by Wilderness Foundation UK CEO Jo Roberts, who outlined our vision for Wild Swans as well as the support currently needed to take the project into a new year.

Our vision for Wild Swans

Wild Swans develops confident, well informed young women.  We give them the skills to grow their vision and passion to make a difference in society and the protection of the natural world.

We work with a range of young women, inspiring women leaders and mentors from a range of countries and cultures, working to create an international network of female future leaders.

Wild Swans will become leaders who are sensitive to the environmental, economic, cultural and social issues of our time.

We work in wilderness and nature to develop deeper understanding of ourselves and our place in the world.

What we do

• Wild Swans are carefully selected through written and interview processes
• They commit to being involved for a minimum of 18 months
• They are expected to deliver a project of their choice linked to social or environmental issues
• They will have a personal mentor to help them on their leadership journey and deliver their project
• Wild Swans take part in a wilderness journey and volunteer in a rural community
• They will meet inspirational leaders on a regular basis – learning from their life stories and insights
• They will share their voices, thinking and vision with others
• They will support the next group of Wild Swans and stay part of the alumni

How you can help

• As a mentor supporting a Wild Swan on their journey
• As a woman leader/inspirer with a story to share of leadership and life
• As a workshop facilitator helping us to build the skills and confidence of Wild Swans
• As a friend to help with PR, fundraising and marketing
• As a Sponsor of Wild Swans – either the leadership development of a young woman, or contribution to the running costs of the programme.

 Thank you for your support.

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Wild Swans Evening with Cathy O’Dowd great success

The third TurnAround Programme ran their graduation ceremony in Leighs Village Hall last week. Attending were the Deputy Mayor and Mayoress of Chelmsford- Cllr. Mike and Mrs. Julia Harris, Lady Diana Kemp Welch, past High Sherriff Of Essex and Patron of TurnAround, local business people who support the project, mentors,  and proud families and friends.

‘TurnAround was one of the best things I have done in my life’ said R, a girl of 17 who has been through a lot in her short life and had just finished 9 months with the TurnAround project run by The Wilderness Foundation. Moved to tears by the emotions surrounding her graduation ceremony, R, found it hard to read out her speech whilst the fifty guests waited with kind patience to hear her voice.

Project facilitators reminded her of her courage and how she started as a quiet, hard to connect with young person, and now was respected by all involved as someone who carried quiet wisdom, had stepped out of her comfort zone on her six day self supported canoe journey in Scotland, was articulate,  bright and will certainly do well with new found confidence and training at college in tourism.

Her emotion was needed to remind everyone that for most of the young people, standing up to talk and share with strangers and family, the task would have been an impossible for them at the beginning of their journey – and how important this moment was for them now and how far they had come. Others spoke with passion, emotion, pride and dignity about how they had faced their fears and realised how capable they were. There were many tears from families and participants alike.  One participant spoke about how her mother had been such a role model for her – finding ways to deal with her problems and still be a fantastic mother, and how TurnAround had given her the chance to reflect on all the positives in her life.

TurnAround works with young people who are in personal difficulty and vulnerable over a long period of time.  Ranging from a variety of backgrounds in domestic violence, criminal behaviour, drugs and alcohol abuse, problems leaving long term care and for most a history of deep family problems, they all come willingly onto the programme to literally turn their lives around.

The programme works with wild nature activities, wilderness trails and canoe journeys in remote parts of Scotland, one-to-one mentoring and personal development workshops.  Research by the University of Essex evidences the significant changes in the participants in terms of increased confidence and greater self esteem, skills to be resilient to the bumps and bashes life offers, and most importantly, reinforced by skilled mentors, is the connection between action and consequences. The project promotes positive connections to self, others and the natural world.

‘TurnAround promotes a sense of personal control over the choices we make in life..and that the future to a large extent is what we want to make of it,’ said Jo Roberts, CEO of the Wilderness Foundation.  ‘Although no one who comes on the programme has had an easy start in life, they can have a greater say in what kind of parents they eventually want to be, what they do with their life and how they manage themselves and their relationships. We are tough on the programme with a lot of straight talking. Our agenda is to help that young person develop and grow and honesty is the best policy in order to achieve greater awareness and ability to see where things are not working.’

Mentors on TurnAround receive accredited training and are supported by their peers and staff to deliver the vital support they give their young mentee.  All offer their time voluntarily and they bring kindness, patience, guidance and fresh perspectives to the relationship.  In fact, the experience gives them back a deep sense of reward that with time you can really make a difference in another person’s life.

From May, the Foundation launches their fourth year of the TurnAround Project. Based at their green and leafy headquarters at Strutt and Parker (Farms) in Chatham Green, they will also be  launching the same project for young people from Hackney, and a shorter TurnAround lite for younger people aged between 13-15.

‘We have just conducted research into what needs there are out there in the community for young people in Essex, particularly as government money is thin on the ground. Our findings were that a project of this nature is vital, and is needed for the younger ages to catch them before things really get bad. A focus will need to be on young women and we will need to address a growing number of young people who are self harming,’ said Jo. ‘Although these are daunting issues, working with these young people is a joy and with kindness, time, interest and a real desire to support them in a positive life journey, changes really take place.’

Alongside personal growth, TurnAround aims to focus their graduates on employment, or further education, thus giving them greater chances to be self sufficient into the future.  It is a “hand up”, rather than a “handout” approach.

For anyone wishing to come on TurnAround as a participant, to be a mentor, or to support the project financially, please contact The Wilderness Foundation on info@wildernessfoundation.org.uk or telephone 01245 443073.

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TurnAround Year 3 Graduates

We are pleased to share details of the February “Green in the City” Forum meeting:

Biomass – Unlocking the Supply Chain will bring together senior executives and experts from power producers, investors, technologists and R & D as well as other industry contributors. Our “cleantech question-time” discussion forum will provide extra time for audience participation and questioning.

Panelists Include:
Caroline Season   Senior Policy Adviser, Bioenergy, Office for Renewable Energy Deployment (ORED) at DECC
Alex Murray   Principal at Beetle Capital Partners
Steve McNab   Head of Environment & Climate Change at Simmons & Simmons
Dr Pat Howes   Bioenergy Knowledge Leader at AEA Group
Diane Booth  Head of Environmental Policy at Network Rail (invited)

Uniquely positioned in the industry, with top tier speakers and executive networking in an unparalleled atmosphere, Green in the City is a must-attend event for all participants in the cleantech sector and those interested in following its trends.

WHEN
Thursday, February 23, 2012
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

WHERE
Simmons and Simmons LLP
1 Ropemaker Street, London EC2Y 9SS

Forum Fee
£25 + VAT

includes drinks and canapés

View Briefing Summary, Attendees and Speakers

View Agenda

Please mention the Wilderness Foundation UK when contacting Green in the City.

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Biomass: Unlocking the Supply Chain

Project Coordinator – TurnAround

The Wilderness Foundation UK is a small nature and conservation based charity providing a range of support services to vulnerable, disaffected and disengaged young people. The services we provide help to raise self-esteem, improve motivation, support lifelong learning and promote inclusion. You’ll be joining at a critical time in our development as we seek to build on a promising foundation and make a difference, both in terms of conservation and the lives of young people. We offer a working environment that values staff, promotes improvement and is small enough to give you a real chance to influence and achieve.

The TurnAround projects target young people across Essex and the surrounding areas, aiming to help them re-engage back into the community or reduce their ‘at risk’ behaviours. They are referred to the project by social care, youth offending, schools and youth groups and are predominantly in the 14-19 age range and from a variety of backgrounds

TurnAround is an innovative intervention supporting individuals by utilising nature and wilderness trails as a catalyst for change, a more productive future and pathway into training, employment or further education

The Project Coordinator will be responsible for the overall direction, coordination, implementation, execution, control, monitoring and evaluation of the TurnAround projects including overseeing volunteer mentors, partnership agreements, working effectively with key partners, keeping the project on schedule, under budget and gaining maximum exposure through effective dissemination of the projects impact.

This individual will have previous experience of managing youth workers, and rolling out support provision programmes. They should be able to communicate effectively with people at all levels, within the business and the community, and be driven to produce a highly efficient service.

Previous experience of supporting young people, including those at risk of offending, is essential, as is the ability to display empathy, patience and positive attitude at all times. Qualifications in Outdoor Education, Youth Work, Social Work or other relevant skills would enhance your application.

The Wilderness Foundation UK is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. An enhanced CRB check will be required for this post

If you think you meet these requirements and are passionate about improving the outcomes for young people then we would welcome and encourage your interest.

If you have any questions relating to the post please call 01245 443073 or email info@wildernessfoundation.org.uk

The position will commence as soon as a suitable candidate is found and checks/references completed.

Please submit your CV and one page document explaining how you feel you best meet the set specifications.

Download Job and Person Specification by clicking here

Postal applications can be sent to:

We look forward to hearing from you.

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Vacancy for Project Coordinator

THE BIG QUIZ

Saturday 21st January 2012

Galleywood Youth Centre

Watchhouse Road

CHELMSFORD

CM2 8PT

7.00 p.m.  for 7.30 p.m. start

£8.50p per person

Teams of up to 8

Fill a table or let us make up a table for you

Includes Fish and Chip Supper

(£3.00 without supper)

Please bring your own drinks and nibbles

(no alcohol, thank you)

 – Prizes – Raffle -

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FLYER AND BOOKING FORM

We do hope you can make it along to this fun evening in aid of a very good cause.

Thank you for your help.

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The Big Quiz supporting Chelmsford Women’s Aid