Damian took part in our Transitions Club, supporting P7s embarking on the transition to high school during the COVID-19 pandemic.
We’re passionate about designing our services based on the ideas and experiences of the people we aim to support, ensuring that support directly meets their current needs. That’s why Pupils Know How, part of our Positive Transitions service, uses the experiences and input of the young people we work with to create clubs and workshops that reflect their needs. We adapt each group to suit the participants, so activities can range from art and science to riddles and even solving mysteries! Thanks to our creative Youth Workers, no theme is off the cards - we've even run workshops on memes!
Since March 2020, these groups have taken place online, but that hasn’t stopped our youth workers from coming up with exciting and engaging ideas!
Damian's story
Damian took part in Transitions Club, one of our Pupils Know How groups focussing on the transition between primary and high school. The club provided P7s embarking on this transition during the COVID-19 pandemic with a safe space to discuss their fears, concerns or thoughts through fun activities including making comics, playing games, and creating stories.
At the start of the programme Damian arrived at sessions deflated, but as the club progressed our Youth Workers saw his confidence increase, and he began to share his own ideas and even bring along his favourite toy to show the group.
Damian also responded very well to the online format of the club. Using tools such as Pixton and Whiteboard, he enjoyed creating his own comics, memes and drawings. In turn, these activities also helped to increase his digital skills, creative skills and teamwork.
"Damian absolutely loves his Wednesday mornings with you guys. He is so excited in the run up to 10:30am. He doesn't treat it like he did home schooling (which he wouldn't do) - he sees it as fun. It has been a much-needed structure in this whole time for Damian and me. Thank you for all you are doing, it's much appreciated.”
Through all of this, Damian was able to voice his concerns about high school. Together, the group talked about ways they could overcome obstacles and ask for help upon starting high school.
A lasting impact
After Transitions Club came to an end, the group went on to begin high school, where Damian joined one of our after-school clubs. He also became friends with another young person he met in Transitions Club who is now in the same high school as him, helping him to find familiarity in a new environment.
Supporting him through a few bad days, Damian once again found the clubs helpful as he continued to adapt to high school. By having this constant safe space available after school, he has felt supported through both the transition and lockdown.