Confidence building and showcasing talent at Meadow View

It was coming up to 9:15am and assembly at Meadow View will be finishing. My sessions are always well planned but can take a turn in any direction - North, south, east or very much west when working with these vulnerable young people because you don't know what's around the corner.

Thoughts are running through my head in all directions. Contingency plans are being planned out in all ways. It's like riding a wave and thinking on your feet quickly to keep their engagement and to make sure you leave with the task you went in for. Quite easy in some respects but a challenge. I love challenges!!!

The session starts and the whole group are in the room waiting for me to talk. I wanted them to produce podcast scripts including a beginning, middle and an end and for the content to be about something they are interested in or have a talent in.

All of the group had different things to discuss and started to work productively by themselves. No one stormed out!! No one was swearing. In fact it was a calm atmosphere. They all looked engaged in their activity. This is was a great feeling because you have them onboard for this session.

They knew there was a time limit, they knew what I wanted to get from them and they were working well together in the same room. All of the individuals are very much progressing at different stages and their engagement towards the activity has grown somewhat just after 3 sessions.

Onwards and upwards to the group at Meadow View!!!