Exciting AQA Unlocking Potential Mid-Point Events
A high energy trio of AQA Unlocking Potential mid-point events took place in Milton Keynes, Reading and Manchester recently as students from different parts of the country took part in a Dame Kelly Holmes Trust style Dragon’s Den to pitch their social action projects.
AQA Unlocking Potential is a transformational mentoring programme for students aged from 11-19 years of age, delivered in partnership between education charity AQA and Dame Kelly Holmes Trust. The programme puts athletes' shoulder to shoulder with young people, aiming to raise student's aspirations and expectations for future life goals, equipping them with a winning mindset that’s ready to achieve. Whether that’s moving from school to Further Education, Further Education to Higher Education, or into training and employment, our athlete mentors will help students move forward with confidence.
Ellis Oliver, Dame Kelly Holmes Trust, Programmes Manager said: “What a brilliant three days at the mid-point events across the country for the AQA Unlocking Potential programme. It was fantastic to see the progress of so many of the students and a massive well done to them all for presenting such meaningful and exciting social action project ideas. We look forward to seeing and hearing how they progress over the next couple of months as they go about delivering their projects and celebrating all their successes as the programme comes to a close at the celebration event in London at the end of June.”
Dragon’s Den designed to improve young people’s confidence
With the help of AQA volunteers, Dame Kelly Holmes Trust Trustees, and athlete mentors, the young people presented their project plans. This can be a nerve-wracking time for the young people, but this opportunity is one of the many the programme offers to help young people develop skills that will help them progress with future life goals.
Across the mid-point events we saw a range of different social action projects, a flavour of projects identified by young people across the country can be found below:
West Kirby – Raising awareness of the impact of climate change with an assembly and a local beach clean.
Kings Leadership Academy – Showing the impacts of vaping and anxiety by litter picking and delivering a school campaign to highlight the dangers.
Woking High School - Helping increase confidence and reduce anxiety among children preparing for secondary school with workshop day including sports activities, team-building activities and classroom-based sessions.
Marvell College – Delivering a disability sports session with Hull KR Foundation and foodbank drive.
When the 30 groups of young people meet again in London for the programme’s celebration event, they will share stories of their social action successes with each other.
Help the Trust to continue Unlocking Potential’s impactful work
For 15 years the Unlocking Potential programme has delivered positive change in the students which take part, and more young people than ever need our support – NHS referrals for mental health support are soaring, teachers across the country report that poor mental wellbeing is having an impact on young people’s ability to learn, and in the last two years, applications to take part in the programme have more than doubled.
As we come to the end of a hugely successful partnership with AQA, the Trust is looking to find a headline sponsor to help us give students across the country a chance to experience this life changing programme.
Dame Kelly Holmes Trust, Interim CEO, Annie Moody said: “The Unlocking Potential programme has supported 100s of young people throughout the UK, with so many more needing this life changing support. By partnering with us, you will help the next generation to build confidence, resilience and belief in their futures — while strengthening your own people and culture. This is a fantastic opportunity for an organisation to become a true champion in young people’s corner.”
We believe every young person deserves the chance to be the best version of themselves. Last year, 76% of young people said the programme helped them think about health and wellbeing in a positive way which resulted in 53% of young people increasing their minutes of physical activity per week. Furthermore, 43% of young people felt the programme helped them lead and make decisions on their own.
Speaking to teachers and students about the programme, one student said: “The programme and my Athlete Mentor has taught me that there's a big life out in the world and you just have to be confident to explore new things.”
A teacher also explained how having one of the Trust’s Athlete Mentors shoulder to shoulder with young people is crucial: “Having a mentor (that is not a teacher) who pupils look up to and respect, as well as feeling that they can open up to this person who is on their side/fights their corner is everything.”
If you want to find out more about the Unlocking Potential programme, please get in touch with Wendy or Kellie on our Fundraising Team: fundraising@damekellyholmestrust.org