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Time for Change Europe‘a journey that makes sense‘

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What is the ‘Time for Change’ programme•An 18 week intensive Personal Development programme aimed at disadvantaged young people.

•It is based on a person centered approach.

•It is a learning partnership which will both support and challenge.

•It is a space to reflect and make sense of life experience.

•It is a ‘journey’ towards positive change.

•It is an opportunity to get ‘one to one’ support.

•It is a chance to ‘reconnect’ in a positive way with community.

Transformation is only valid if it is carried out with people, not for them…’(Freire 1970: 43)

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Why is Time for Change Needed?• Disadvantaged young People need to be supported to go through a

process that helps them make sense of the transition from childhood to adulthood.

• If young people are not supported to break the negative behaviour cycles there are serious impacts and costs to health, education, criminal justice, family and community.

• Young people often need time to reflect on their relationships.• Young people need to discover their purpose and potential and turn

them into aspirations. (These aspirations need to affirmed.)• Young people need to take ownership of their own learning and

personal development. • Time for Change engages, motivates and supports ‘change’ to be

sustained effectively.• Time for Change has a high success rate working with the most

disadvantaged young people.

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The History and Development of the programme.• The programme was designed in 2006 and it has evolved over the last

10 years.• To date we have delivered 27 programmes• 141 young people have participated on the programme, 91 were

male and 50 were female.• 80% of participants were aged between 15 and 21.• The programme has been delivered on the west coast of Scotland,

Donegal (west coast of Ireland) and on Rathlin Island.• The project has partnered with community groups, the Probation

Board, the Youth Justice Agency, Health and Social Care Trust and NI Co-ownership housing.

• The programme was funded through contracts with the above agencies as well as through grant giving organisations and trusts.

• 100% of young people who completed the residential programme returned more self-confident with an action plan for positive change.

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Summary of Participants

NOTE: In total we have delivered 27 x T4C programmes with 141 young people completing.

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6 5 4 3 2 1 .

6 5

4 3

2 1 .

A B

DC

Positive Connections and Relationships1.Self2.Family3.Friends an Community4.Global

4 Change Programmes1.Prepare for change2.Time for change3.Celebrating change4.Sustaining change

4321

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2

3

234

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1 2

3 4

Young

Person

Time for Change Programme

(Inputs and Outcomes)

A - Healthy Relationships

C - Community Connections

B – Personal Development

D – Training and Employment

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6 Steps towards the programme outcomes

Experiential Learning; “...the process whereby knowledge is created through the transformation of experience. Knowledge results from the combination of grasping and transforming experience”

(Kolb, 1984)

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Limitations of the T4C programme.• The programme requires each participant to recognise that they have

a need for positive change in their life.• Participation must be voluntary.• The success in sustaining ‘change’ depends on connecting from the

start with ‘Family’ and ‘Community’ support.• High staffing ratios are vital to ensure movement between individual

and group work interventions.• The residential programme needs elements of nature, adventure and

escape from the normal experience of home life.• The programme is highly effective as a catalyst for change. Sustaining

change will not be a straight smooth journey for the young people. It will however remain as a reference point for the aspirations of the young people.

• The cost of running the programme is significant and needs to be focused on those most in need.

• Change although necessary is often painful.

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Needs identified by young people

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Outcomes identified by young people

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Based on previous delivery of programmes we expect that young people will leave the programme with;

– Increased self-confidence and self-awareness– Reduction in levels of the misuse of alcohol, drugs and solvents, – Increased sense of happiness and well being, – Clear goals and aspirations linked to increased motivation and

personal development – Improved family / community relationships, – Reduction in offending and anti-social behaviour– Increased ability to manage anger issues.– Engagement or Re-engagement in education and training,– Clear progress towards gaining employment or volunteering

positions. – Greater connectivity to local community support services.

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Personal Statement of young male, Belfast• “Before the programme my head was away with it. I was smoking dope

and taking diazepam, cutting my arms, hurting myself and trying to deal with the pain of not seeing my daughter. I had no confidence in myself and was paranoid and didn’t’t know how to change! The Time for Change programme got me away from my situation, I got to talk one to one with my key worker who supported me when I felt down and that helped me to see that there was other ways to go in life. The programme challenged me to face my fears and motivated me to change. I now stop, get my head together and make the right choice to achieve my goal! I make decisions that are good for me to make me feel happy instead of down. I am drugs free and feel good. My relationship with my family has improved. I have started to apply for jobs and think about the future, one of the goals I have set is to be happy and help others”

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Statement from the Principal and Senior Social Workers • “Time for Change has provided a much needed life line to many of the

young people with whom we work.  The service has provided an excellent standard of professionalism in their engagement with the statutory services, their dedication and commitment to the young people has been outstanding and the working relationships forged have greatly enhanced the service provision and indeed the outcomes for the young people.  The joint up working approach which has been created has provided the bedrock for a comprehensive support scheme which focuses primarily on meeting the needs of these young people, providing them with life enhancing opportunities and experiences.”  

• (Jonathon Giles PSW, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust)

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The Future of the programme • We have developed a ‘train the trainers’ programme. The six

participants from Germany, Lithuania and Spain all felt that the programme could be useful within their context and culture.

• There will be four pilots of the T4C Europe delivered over the next 12 months.

• We are in the process of establishing European wide accreditation.• We hope to license the programme to ensure quality and future

development.• The programme has been well received in Ireland, it is flexible to

compliment the aims and needs of a range of different organisations. • Local Government such as the PBNI, Housing Associations, the Youth

Justice Agency and the Belfast Health Trust have all funded places on Time for Change.

• The programme has massive potential across Europe to engage the growing numbers of young people who find themselves outside of Employment, Education or Training.

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Thank you for your time

Paul McKinstryEmail: info@journeyfree.co.ukTelephone: 0044 7751 414954

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