I have just returned from my first London Borough of Havering Integrated Youth Service (IYS) residential outdoor activity week in the Lake District trip as a member of the staff team.  The experience is unique for me, a trained Education Welfare Officer, coming away with youth workers on a residential experience. 12 young people aged 16 to 19 took part, along with 2 Youth Work apprentices, supported by Kat Etherington, an IYS Manager.  The trip was full of positive activities which included rock climbing, abseiling, canoeing, cave walking, horse riding, mountain biking, archery and an array of other group activities which had a clear impact on building confidence and self esteem.  Although the weather was very cold with snow on the peaks and hill tops, the young people had a wonderful enjoyable learning experience.  The accommodation was in the grounds of Borwick Hall, a 14th Century Historical Manor House set in stunning countryside and was both warm and inviting with staff on hand to ensure the stay was comfortable.  Being part of the staff team was truly inspiring.  It enabled me to see the vast experience and skills employed by the staff team and the outcomes as they happened.



The Borwick trip had so many highlights: seeing young people’s pride at rock-climbing achievements; listening to young people’s stories of how they jumped out of canoes into the freezing cold Coniston Water; target practice in the snow surrounded by sheep in the fields; enjoying meals together; and endless laughter and good humour.  The young people were keen to try new things and took up the challenge presented by the cold weather in good spirit.  We visited Borwick Hall, which is reputed to be haunted. Throughout the tour of the building the group remained close at all times while the staff team relayed tales of the history of the building and its residents!  Much enjoyment was to be had with several of the young people trying (and succeeding) in scaring staff in the process.

The staff took great care to look after the young people as well as one another, with ‘fun’ being a priority.  The sheer stamina and constant good humour of the team was impressive and their interaction with the young people was a joy to see.  From the outset I was made to feel a welcome and part of the team. The staff encouraged the young people to participate by joining in the activities on offer. In addition activities were organised every evening that was structured, yet relaxed and informal, promoting group cohesion.  These activities were enjoyed by all, including the staff. One of the activities was a quiz night, which brought out the competitiveness in the young people and was so popular that a second one was organised by popular demand.

Although the evenings were often late and breakfast was served at 7.30am, we did managed to get them to the tables, but it did require much bedroom door knocking, calling and more door knocking, which I became accomplished at by the end of the week.

The staff team were all Youth Workers with the exception of myself, as my background is a Senior Education Welfare Officer by profession, working with young people that do not attend school regularly, and their families. Although the professional backgrounds were quite different the goal of promoting and providing positive outcomes and experiences for young people were exactly the same.  Gill Prosser, who is an extremely experienced and highly skilled Senior Youth Worker within the Integrated Youth Services, lead 2 amazing Youth Workers, Sean Prosser and Chris Baker who together used their leadership skills to guide the young people through the week’s activities, at every stage they ensured the young people were safe and had, positive experience, with fun being a key element. Gill took great care to organise the trip down to the last detail whilst remaining flexible.  Every young person was encouraged to take part in all activities throughout the week whilst being given the choice to opt-out. Discussion time was used to offer support in respect of issues the young people may be experiencing, this information would be held and used to continue developing support when needed post the residential.

My professional background as an Education Welfare Officer (EWO) was within a more formal educational setting. My former role had a distinct purpose and supported many young people to progress more positively through integrated multi-professional working.  I now understand that the Integrated Youth Service work is holistic in its approach to developing the social, academic, emotional, health & well being of young people and is also within the multi-disciplinary arena, however young people are at the heart of all youth work and this is unique in its approach and ability to provide positive outcomes. Success is achieved through the process of developing positive social interaction through informal learning. My skills as an EWO include one to one work with young people, exploring options and supporting them to make positive life choices using a youth work approach.  I am experienced in listening and in giving young people the time and space to express themselves and the ability to discuss any issues.  Success of this relies upon mutual respect, trust and good communication.

During the trip I participated in group work activities.  The process enabled me the opportunity to talk to young people on an individual basis, giving them the space to discuss anything at all that they chose.  Through this I was able to develop relationships more effectively.  Discussion points ranged from education and employment to feelings and families.   We explored choices, viewpoints, solutions and ways forward; as an example looking at options available for those young people that were NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) and looking at ways that we as an Integrated Youth Service could help. The young people reacted very positively to having the time and space to express themselves on a one to one basis.  This approach complimented the group work and added to the young people’s holistic residential experience.  My fellow team members recognised this and openly expressed that they valued my contribution.

Now that I have watched my Youth Worker colleagues ‘in action’ from morning to night, working intensely with young people, I am in awe of the style in which they offer informal learning experiences to young people in a safe and positive environment yet within a completely professional framework with boundaries employed at every level.  In addition to this, the communication and team working within the staff was remarkable, each employing different skills complementing the working environment. 

Young people made the following comments about their experience of the trip:

Amy: “The trip was awesome.  I can’t think of a single thing that I didn’t enjoy”.

Dan: “It was a great experience.  Rock-climbing was brilliant – I conquered my fear of heights”.

Lloyd: “I loved Borwick.  Youth trips get better every time”.

Louise: “I loved everything about the trip, particularly horse-riding.  I loved the beautiful   winter scenery and seeing the snow on the peaks when we were rock-climbing.”

(All young people consented to use there names and comments in this report)

As a staff team we valued each other’s varied professional skills and worked to our strengths with the young people throughout the trip – true integrated working.  The staff team welcomed my contribution and I value their support, encouragement and style.  I learned a great deal from being part of this professional team.  The trip was a resounding success due to cohesive, integrated team work with young people, bringing together our differing professionalisms to create positive experiences for the young people who were always the centre of our focus.  I am very pleased that I was given the opportunity to be involved in providing such a great experience for the young people that took part in the Borwick residential trip.

Integrated working is most definitely proving to be a positive experience.

Joan Adams, 19th April 2010