YPA’s story
YPA was placed in care alongside their younger sibling. When YPA started at F4YP they started off very shy and struggled with their speech. YPA’s foster carer already knew of Fun 4 Young People (F4YP) and wanted them to attend our holiday clubs. The first club they came to was summer 2020, they were extremely quiet and lacked confidence in reading and other sessions but always showed others kindness. F4YP staff have attended professionals' meetings for YPA since they started at F4YP, and also work with their other siblings.
With thanks to HAF funding, YPA has been able to consistently access our multi-activity holiday clubs, and adventure days every year since they started. They have explored practical skills like DT and cooking as well as coming along to our outdoor adventure days. This summer, YPA displayed huge improvements in their social skills with many of our tutors recognising that YPA’s personality has blossomed, they can make new friends easily, and are usually seen having fun with other young people. Through our regular reading program at Holiday clubs, YPA now displays much improved reading skills, discovered a passion for creative writing, and loves learning their lines in drama. YPA said “My favourite thing about holiday club is getting to try loads of activities.”
At Holidays Clubs, YPA would join in every activity but water sports. This prompted the team to ask about their swimming and led to them joining our after-school swimming lessons.
When YPA first come on pool side, they displayed signs of distress and were very fearful of the water, not wanting to enter the pool. Through the support and care of our pastoral team and swimming instructors, slowly YPA built their water confidence and was able to have a go at things like putting their face in the water. Since then, YPA has worked hard to progress their skills, and their confidence grows each week, they show great engagement throughout their sessions, making friends with other swimmers along the way. YPA was very proud of themselves when they could swim on their front and back in the deep end, passing a new swimming stage.
YPA is now in the top swimming group and continues to grow in confidence.
YPA said of the F4YP staff “they are fun to talk to and always there for YP when they need it”. They commented that they had made good friends at F4YP, and their favourite memories are now “of going to the river in holiday club.” YPA continues to attend our after school & holiday club provision and it’s a privilege to see their personal growth continue to develop.
