Our "Step Up" schools project was a great success this year. We did six full days with 16 young people from ages 11-14 years from Sidney Stringer Academy and then we had a couple of sessions with them where they devised a workshop for year six children (10,11 year olds) about coming up to secondary school, which they took into three local primary schools working with a total of about 130 children.

Below is some feedback from the Community Professionals that met the young people, from the school but most of all from the young people themselves.

Feedback from Community Professionals:-

I really enjoyed yesterday & I'm already looking forward to the feedback session.

The event was very well thought out and the questions were very good. The young people sounded and acted with confidence and are credit to Coventry and Sidney Stringer, it was fantastic.

What a great afternoon, I am sure the young people will have benefited.

I really enjoyed it and they seemed a really lovely group of young people.If you personally thank all the young people and staff involved in the FolesHillFields Project, I found it really interesting and fun to meet the young people. It was great to see the young people confident enough to question the workers and their ethics and reasoning. I look forward to the next event.

Feedback from School

The impact on students has been significant. They have gelled as a group, grown in self-confidence and are keen ambassadors for the project. They want it to continue in the new school year. A good number of their families attended the presentation delivered to local leaders and were proud of their children.

The project has increased the students’ awareness of what constitutes their community and their knowledge of what lies beyond their locality. It also effectively introduced them to the idea that they have the capacity to participate in community affairs, and the responsibility to do so.

The project has also enhanced the standing of the Academy. We gained from the recognition of our students’ abilities and qualities as they met and presented to a wide range of adults.

Feedback from young people:-

Amal, Saara, Shannon

S – supportive members (Abdullah, Heather, Fatima, Looch, Shazia and lunch time team)
T – team work
E – enthusiasm – participating in the group
P – people learning about specific aspects of cultures and different communities within Hillfields and Foleshill

U – understanding and contributing to what is happening
P – persuasive and positive team members

Anwar

Step Up is great, Step Up is fun for everyone. The first day we did it we played a marble game, we did it with a big ball, then a little one.

Amreen

I enjoyed Step Up
It has been great
We did some art stuff
And I made new mates

We Went on visits
And played new games
For example the world quiz
Which wasn't lame

Eva Mainali

Step Up has been inspirational and a new experience for me because I got to meet different people and make many new friends. I learned different kinds of skill like listening while someone is talking with you.

I visited different places from Step Up, St Peter's church and the Swanswell Initiative. I also learned how to deal with conflict situations and how to solve problems and how effective active listening is.

They treat everyone equally and see everyone with the same view. They teach that we should never give up and be independent.

I met with different people, They were all professionals and I was a bit scared and nervous while asking them questions – it was a really nice experience. We did a lot of different games and activities, they were all aimed at team work.

Saara Khan

Step Up is great
I have learned
You're in charge of your own fate

Do what you want
Don't say I can't
And one day you will win!

We played a lot of games
I tell you now they weren't lame
We all treat everyone the same

Xenia

It all started when I got accepted for Step Up, I was shy and scared when I had the interview, but once I got to know the team I gained confidence and leadership skills. We played a lot of games and songs, such as Shakey Shakey and Bananas. We got put into groups and went to different places, my group went to Hillz fm and we had a go on the radio LIVE! It was great – Thank You!

Kathleen

What I enjoyed at Step Up was getting to know people and talking to important people in the community. Also all the games!

Thanks Step Up. I had a lot of fun!