Life skills
If you’ve received support from Whizz-Kidz - whether we’ve provided you with a new wheelchair, tricycle or wheelchair training – you are eligible to join our network of young Ambassadors and benefit from our life skills training programme.
Our life skills programme looks to deliver life skills training and work placements that will not only provide young disabled people with essential skills to support their personal development, but also their role as an Ambassador for Whizz-Kidz.
The programme will incorporate a ‘foundation’ session’ which is based on the top ten attributes a young person needs to grow and develop (as defined by UNICEF). Other training will focus on communications skills, media training, public speaking, preparing a CV etc. The training will be delivered through our growing network of local Ambassador Clubs.
UNICEF’s top ten attributes for young people are:
- Problem solving
- Critical thinking
- Effective communication skills
- Decision-making
- Creative thinking
- Interpersonal relationship skills
- Self awareness
- Building skills
If you’re a beneficiary of Whizz-Kidz and would like to become an Ambassador, you can sign up in the Kidz Zone
Work placements
As a key part of our life skills programme we will be offering our young beneficiaries the chance to undertake a work placement. Working in partnership we will provide young disabled people with the chance to gain invaluable new skills and gain insight into the work place.
We will offer placements to young people from aged 14 upwards and in particular to those who have not been able to access this kind of opportunity through their school or college.
There is no such thing as a 'typical' work experience placement, so using our work placement model each placement will be tailored to ensure you gain the maximium benefit.
There are currently a limited number of work placement opportunities available.
Here's one young Ambassador's work placement story:
21 year-old Ambassador Ruth, who is studying journalism, did her work experience at Whizz-Kidz HQ office and at BBC Ouch. She found it to be a very positive and rewarding experience:
“I absolutely loved every minute of my work experience at Whizz-Kidz and at the BBC. As a wheelchair user I found barriers to getting work experience and the placements I have been offered didn’t fit to what I’m interested in at all. I now feel more confident about my transition into the workplace”
If you’re a beneficiary of Whizz-Kidz and would like to become an Ambassador, you can sign up in the Kidz Zone
There’s also advice here on taking control, education, getting around obstacles and relationships.
I would like to make a regular donation!
Being an ambassador is a really good opportunity to try new stuff, make new friends, be more independent and express my opinion