The outreach scheme: an army cadet force youth and community project
Jeff Mathews, David Williams & Bobby Grey
Outreach id the ACF’s Youth and Community project and over 7000 young people have benefited since I started in 1994. Outreach seeks to help crime vulnerable as well as socially and educationally disengaged boys and girls aged 12-17 years become responsible citizens by using team based adventurous and challenging activities to raise their self-esteem, build confidence and broaden their perspective on what they can achieve with their lives.
The project is delivered by volunteer adult and cadet members of the ACF, a national voluntary military themed youth movement which boasts a membership of over 44,000 teenage cadets. The project takes participants away from their normal environment and gives them a huge dose of positive activity, earned praise, self belief and personal pride. The scheme was introduced in South Wales in 1996 by the 5th cadet battalion Royal Welsh in partnership with Rhondda Cynon Taff (RC) Youth Offending Service and continues to offer four x four day courses a year for young people living in the RCT area. In 2001 the South Wales Police joined the partnership, providing funding for two additional four day courses for young people resident within the South Wales area. The workshop will enable participants to explore the development of the scheme in South Wales.
Youth Criminal Justice Dep., Swansea Youth Offending Service & Cadet Battalion Royal Welsh
Wales
Email: Jeff.Mathews@south-wales.pnn.police.uk
Tel: 01792 522800
Email:david. Williams1@swansea.gov.uk
Tel: 01792 560907
Email: Bobby.Grey@swansea.gov.uk
