We’re excited to share with you some of the highlights from our 3-day staff training which took place last week. It was a great opportunity for us to learn new skills, bond as a team, and prepare for the year ahead.
Day 1: Values, Planning, and Strategy
On the first day, we started with a values session, where we reflected on our core values and how they guide our work. We then had some team planning time, throughout this session, we set our goals and priorities for the upcoming months. We also had the chance to meet the board, and they joined our session, giving us their feedback and support. We ended the day with a strategy session, during which discussed our vision, mission, and objectives for our youth zone. It was a productive and inspiring day.
Day 2: Workshops and Team Building Activities
On the second day, we attended four different workshops led by our own staff members, who shared their expertise and experience with us. We heard about the importance of Impact Stories, dived into the impact of our Fundraising team, developed our knowledge around the youth work curriculum, and learnt about safeguarding and the rights of the child.
In the afternoon, we had a blast with team-building activities delivered by KABs (Kids Activities and Bootcamps). We were challenged to work together, communicate effectively, and have fun.
The whole afternoon really brought us together as a team and gave us a chance to reflect on what we value about our colleagues and ourselves.
Day 3: Young People’s Development and De-escalation Training
On the third day, we had an enlightening session on youth development led by experts Lynne and Irene from LG Training. They covered key topics like developmental stages, challenges across age groups, and effective engagement strategies. Additionally, they provided practical tools for our daily work, enriching our understanding and empowering us to better support young people.
Later in the evening, we engaged in a hands-on de-escalation training session with certified trainer Paul Fairhurst from SafeTeach UK. Paul’s expertise equipped us with strategies to confidently manage conflict, emphasizing the importance of self-care and debriefing.
We had between 45 and 50 team members, including volunteers and brand new team members, at every session, really demonstrating how committed and passionate our team are about youth work and providing our young people with important opportunities.
We want to thank all the trainers who delivered the sessions, as well as our own team members who shared their knowledge with us. We feel fortunate to have such a talented and diverse team.
We’re thrilled to be back and eager to dive into action! If you’re passionate about empowering and inspiring the next generation, explore opportunities on our vacancies page or consider joining us as a volunteer!
