Tuesday also saw the first meeting of our new Council group for Young People with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, OCYPC Magic (Making a Great and Important Difference)! At this first meeting, we introduced the group to the young people and explained its purpose – to give young people with additional needs an opportunity to share their views and opinions about school and what helps them learn and support them to make positive changes. We asked them about their experiences at school; what makes them happy, what makes them feel safe and what helps them learn. Finally, the young people shared some ideas for the creation of a new Logo for OCYPC Magic.
Next up was our annual Countywide Event at Kingswood Activity Centre near Ashford. This was an occasion for the Children in Care Councils and the Children WHO Care Council to meet, work together and have fun. During the meeting, our Young People made suggestions about how the government could meet one of its key missions following the Independent Social Care Review, ‘Make care better for children in care and care leavers’. They also began helping us to create a competition entry for the Coram National Voice Awards, celebrating our Challenge Card process and Children in Care Councils.
On Thursday, young people tested their aim with archery, ability in climbing and high ropes and survival skills during an action packed day at Creed Outdoor Learning in Teynham.
And last but not least, we had two activities on Friday. It was really windy at Betteshanger Country Park near Deal, but despite the weather we had so much fun with our group of young people aged 16+. Everyone tested themselves on the obstacle course and learned new skills at the archery followed by a lovely picnic on the grass.
Finally, together with young people aged 7 – 15, we explored one of the oldest castles in the UK, Dover Castle, and had fun learning more about his history.
posted by Mark Butcher