Tendring Community Assets Full Final Report

15 Netball and Ukulele. These do vary, but there is something for most children to enjoy. At secondary stage a number of schools run programmes targeted at secondary age pupils particularly on a range of subjects, but these are not generally accessible to pupils or young people from outside the school. An example of school run activity is use of ‘drop down days’ also known as 'off-timetable' days, which replace structured classroom lessons with activities used to strengthen students' practical application of skills and provide a deeper learning experience. Harwich & Dovercourt High School, for example, highlighted that it runs ‘drop down days’ covering Knife crime, Road safety, Samaritans, NELFT emotional health and wellbeing, E safety, Prison no way - understanding the law and consequences of actions, work skills, healthy eating, Teen pregnancy. These sessions are provided in partnership with DWP, NELFT, Provide, The Children’s Society, HSBC, Samaritans, to name a few – thus indicating that even though they are provided within the school, they are also making best use of community assets in Tendring and across Essex. 4.8.4 While this may help young people within those schools, it may mean that there are inconsistencies across the District, depending upon the availability of staff and resources at each school and there remains a challenge for those who are not in school due to health, behaviour or home schooling. The ‘Skipping School: Invisible Children’ 11 report by the Children’s Commissioner highlighted the challenges presented by children taken out of schools, often due to bullying, school standards or lack of trust, who then are not on any school’s roll and therefore under the radar in terms of their physical and emotional wellbeing. 4.8.5 Based in Harwich, Teen Talk supports young people age 11 to 25 years across the Tendring area, providing confidential support on any issue, without the need for appointments or time limits. They support young people to build their confidence and self- esteem and therefore make sure they are better placed to engage in education and training or in employment. The HIYA project is a youth forum for young people between 11 and 18 years of age and it works to tackle negative stereotypes of youths by engaging in projects, events and campaigns in the local community. 4.8.6 The Youth Enquiry Service (YES) works with children and young people age 11-25 years with support including addressing relationships, building self esteem, addressing self harm, suicidal thoughts and sexual health matters and report that demand outstrips supply 11 Skipping School: Invisible Children, report of the Children’s Commissioner, February 2019 Teen Talk (Harwich) adapts to the changing needs of young people and is are currently addressing emerging mental health issues, low self-esteem, confidence and the pressures of media, which play a critical role in preventing a young person from reaching their full potential. At its core is their confidential, one-to-one drop-in service, where Support Workers are available at a young person’s immediate time of need, offering a listening ear and providing simple strategies, enabling the young person to build their resilience and overcome the difficulties they face. Teen Talk also offers weekly group activities such as cookery workshops, wildlife activities, volunteering and community programmes. These youth led activities encourage the development of a range of skills such as communication, team building, project planning, marketing and event organisation. Through a combination of drop-in services and complimentary group activities, Teen Talk aims to provide young people and their families with the tools and strategies they need to tackle the difficulties they face at their immediate time of need.