96 UK Young People Meet for Tolerance and Peace

Welcme to the latest report from Encompass. We have been busy planning the Encompass “Whirlwind” programme; a summer residential to challenge, empower and connect 12-14 year olds from Harrow and Brent.

Programme Manager Lucy Frankenburg said, "The programme will combine adventure activities, sports, arts and crafts and team games with thought-provoking and engaging workshops to build young people’s confidence, communication skills and resilience. Workshops will use art and drama to explore issues of identity and culture (“Identity Shields”), stereotypes and prejudice (“Iceberg Theatre”), and conflict and communication (“the Art of Speaking”). Every evening “Chatterbox” (in single sex groups) will be a safe place to discuss image, self-esteem, peer pressure and relationships. There will also be a Q&A – a chance to ask questions about the different religions and cultures represented.

Daytime activities will include adventure activities such as Jacob’s Ladder, rock climbing, crate stacking and water sports, that will challenge them physically and build trust between members of the group (who will be from different schools and different backgrounds), and “My Space”, a session where they can sign up to activities such as football, rounders, glass painting, clay modelling and other fun and slightly more relaxed activities!"

Harrow and Brent are two of the most diverse localities in the country, with large Asian and Indian, Black African, Black Caribbean, Irish, and Eastern European communities. Harrow is the most religiously diverse local authority area in the UK, with a 62% chance that two random people are from different religions (Office for National Statistics, October 2006). It is so important for young people to have to opportunity to meet each other, in a safe and fun environment, to make face to face connections and learn about each other – as well as feeling secure in their own identities.
Brent is the joint fourth-worst Borough in London for levels of child poverty (Save the Children reported in 2011 that 11,000 children are impoverished in Brent). We will ask schools to nominate pupils to come on this programme, perhaps because they are struggling with difficult situations at home and at school and need a break, or because they are motivated to make the most of this wonderful opportunity. This will ensure that the programme benefits the young people who need it the most.

Encompass “Whirlwind” is not just about young people having a great holiday and making new friends (although these are great outcomes!). The programme will have a longer lasting impact on the lives of the young people who attend. The aim of the programme is that the participants will feel equipped and supported to go back to difficult situations at home and school, better able to cope with conflict and to communicate how they feel. They will feel more confident in their own identities and increase their self-esteem. As well as furthering their knowledge about other people’s religions and cultures while on the programme (through the identity workshop and Q&A), they will learn the communication skills to continue learning about other people long after the programme (“Iceberg Theatre” and “the Art of Speaking”) – skills that will benefit them throughout their lives and long after they have left school.