Swimming in a freezing cold lake, climbing mountains, and learning how to trust others…just a few of the challenges taken on this past week by 14 and 15 year olds from throughout the WDH area.
180 students from every secondary school in the area took part in a week-long outward bound course over in the wilds of Ullswater in the Lake District, as part of Wakefield and District Housing’s (WDH) Community Leadership Programme where life-changing, character-building adventures take place each day.
Sharon Hartnett, WDH Community Leadership manager said the programme is designed to take local youngsters out of their comfort zones and uncover their hidden depths.
“Every year we see inspirational stories taking place where teenagers learn what it is to be part of a team,” says Sharon, “We recently got a letter from a mum who thanked us for encouraging her son to go on the course. She told us how he had been bullied all his life and was failing academically until he got involved in the CLP.”
“When he came back from the outward bound course she said he had undergone an amazing transformation. He suddenly started working hard at school and against the odds was able to get a place in college.”
“WDH are committed to going out into the community and changing peoples’ lives. This is the fourth year we’ve taken 14 and 15 year olds out of their communities and helped them to learn things about themselves”
The participants themselves said they could already see changes in their own outlook on life.
Stephen Tasker, 15, from Minsthorpe Community College in South Kirby said he will never forget his experiences.
“I learned so much, “said Stephen, “Sometimes I just shut my eyes and got on with it. I learned that if I get on with people I can do good in life.”
“I’m scared of close spaces, but they had us crawling through tunnels, and I learned that if I keep my mind on the task at hand I can plough through it. “