Subscribe to Whizz-Kidz NewsSkillz for Life – we launch new fun kidz sessions in 11 regions
Whizz-Kidz is launching new social and skills-based sessions for young disabled people in 11 different regions around the country in early 2010, called ‘Skillz for Life’.
Three modules will run in each region in the first four months of the New Year; open to disabled young people aged between 13 and 18. Their aim is for young people to make new friends, have fun and build their confidence – through sessions incorporating teamwork, games, and multimedia learning.
Skillz for Life has been developed in partnership with National Star College and Speak; an advocacy group of young disabled people who are delivering the training. The scheme follows an accredited independent living skills course outline.
The clubs are spread out over January through to April, and the regions are: Tower Hamlets, Harlesden, Guildford, Canterbury, Exeter, Norwich, Manchester, Sheffield, Nottingham, Birmingham, and Newcastle.
Places are limited and the deadline to sign up is Wednesday 16 December. The full list of clubs is below. To sign up – and find out timings – please contact Phillippa Gillespie at Whizz-Kidz on 020 7798 6125, or email p.gillespie@whizz-kidz.org.uk.
Tower Hamlets
Mulberry School for Girls Mulberry School, Anthony Street – Sports Centre Entrance, London, E1 2JP
Sat 13th Feb, Sat 6th March, Sat 10th April
Harlesden
The Unity Centre, 103 Church Road, London, NW10 9EG
Sat. 6th Feb, Sat 13th March, Sat. 17th April
Guildford
Christ Church College, Larch Avenue, Guildford, GU1 1JY
Sat. 23rd Jan, Sat 27th Feb, Sat 27th Mar
Canterbury
Pilgrims way school,Pilgrims Way, CT1 1XU, Canterbury
Sat 27th March, Mon. 12th April, Sat. 8th May
Newcastle
Disability North, The Dene Centre, Castle Farm Road
Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 1PH
Sat 16th Jan, Sat. 27th Feb, Sat. 20th Mar
Sheffield
Fir Vale School, Earl Marshal Road, Sheffield, S4 8LA
Sat. 20th Feb, 10th Apri, Sat. 15th May
Manchester
Trinity Sports Centre Trinity High School
Cambridge Street, Hulme, Manchester M15 6HP
Fri. 19th Feb, Fri 9th April, Sat. 22nd May
Nottingham
University of Nottingham Sports Centre, University of Nottingham
University Park, NG7 2RD
Thurs. 18th Feb, 7th April, Sat 15th May
Birmingham
Holyhead School, Milestone Lane, Birmingham, B21 0HN
Wed. 17th Feb, Wed. 14th April, Sat. 8th May
Norwich
The Clare School, South Park Av, Norwich, NR4 7AU
Tues 16th Feb, Tues 13th April, Sat 22nd May
Exeter
West Exeter Centre, West Exe Technology College
Hatherleigh Road, Exeter, EX2 9JU
Sat. 9th Jan, Sat 13th Feb, Sat. 13th Mar.
Since 2005, Whizz-Kidz has piloted many regional clubs for young people to help support peer-to-peer learning and local campaigning activity. Skills for Life builds upon this groundwork, and forms part of the charity’s Kidz Unlimited project – made possible by £2.8m of Big Lottery Funding.
A 2008 survey of the young people that Whizz-Kidz work with found that many were not getting their personal development needs met – 27% were not being given the skills to get a job at school or college, and 29% were not being taught life skills that would prepare them for adulthood.
Chief Executive Ruth Owen said: “Whizz-Kidz found that 48% of our beneficiaries felt they didn’t currently have the skills or training to become an independent adult. We believe that every child deserves the opportunity to fulfill their potential, and Skillz for Life is another tool supporting us to achieve this.”
Whizz-Kidz is led by the views and opinions of young people, who are at the heart of what they do. The Kidz Board – 12 young people who guide the charity and act as ambassadors for their work – was established in 1997. Kidz Unlimited continues to develop young disabled people’s independence through vital new skills, training and work placements.
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