Uproject

If you're planning to leave school at 16 and don't know what you'll do afterwards, joining a local 'uproject' might be just for you.

Uproject is a free programme of activities like drama, music, white-water rafting, climbing and abseiling. It runs through the summer for people in this position.

Uproject runs in most parts of England. Around 16,000 school leavers take part in these activities every summer and they could help you get some positive ideas about your future.

In previous summers uproject has been really good fun and useful for people who felt unsure about themselves and their future. Uproject aims to help you gain new confidence in yourself and your abilities. The projects also help build and develop useful skills like problem-solving, teamwork, leadership and communications. You can then use these skills in job-seeking and interviews, in new jobs, or at college.

Many people include the skills and interests gained during uproject on their CVs, and some use their time on the programme to get qualifications in things like First Aid or sports.

You can find out how other people got on in their Uproject on their website (See below for the contact details.)

Eight out of ten young people who did uproject last year said it made them more determined to achieve their plans.

Uprojects, which are managed by local partnerships usually involving Connexions - the new service for people aged up to 19 - can vary, so specific activities and ways of working might differ. But across all local uprojects, some things are the same:

• People get together regularly in a local group, which has its own group worker(s) to support you through the programme and give you advice with your decisions about your future.



• Groups meet regularly between Easter and the summer where they get to know each other, plan their activities, and sometimes do 'taster sessions' on things like art, drama, DJ-ing, sport or outdoor activities.



• In the summer, the group goes away for up to a week's 'residential,' which can involve outdoor activities like rock climbing, abseiling or canoeing or art, music or drama. Your achievements are recognised through certificates and awards ceremonies.

All the activities, accommodation, meals, transport for activity sessions and the residentials are free. You'll need to make your own way to local meetings, so there may be fares to pay, and occasionally there will be small costs of a pound or two for extra stuff which groups may want to do. But the aim of uproject, which is funded mainly by the New Opportunities Fund with money from the National Lottery and partly by Barclays Bank, is that no-one will be prevented from taking part because of money issues.

How Can I Get A Place?

• You need to be living in England.
• A recent school-leaver, usually in Year 11.
• Unsure about your future plans.
• Get in touch with uproject in your area. (Find your nearest through their website) Talk to a teacher, Connexions Personal Adviser or a youth worker, who can find out about local activities and help find you a place. If you are planning to leave school next summer, this autumn is a good time to start finding out about your local uproject.

There are no plans yet for national initiatives like uproject in Scotland, but you can find out about similar activities run by local organisations on the youngscot website. In Wales and Northern Ireland, plans for similar projects are being developed.

Related Links
For a list of other useful resources and contacts check out Further Information: Activity Programmes section.

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