Peer educators’ residential training course

14 December 2007

The Homeless Intervention Project recently hosted a successful and enjoyable residential training course at the Noah’s Ark Children’s Venture at Macaroni Woods.

The twin aims of the course were

• to attract more young people to become peer educators on youth homelessness
• to deliver the main elements of the training required to become a peer educator in a short  time.

The Noah’s Ark Children’s Venture offers short stay residential accommodation to groups working with socially excluded children, young people and adults in an idyllic, rural setting in 17 acres of woodland on the edge of the Cotswolds.

In addition to the training, staff and young people enjoyed many of the activities available, including cycling, table tennis, snooker and football. The centre also provided internet access, which allowed everyone to play the extremely popular song and dance competitions.

Among the more rural activities were scenic walks through the countryside, feeding the happy chickens and collecting (and eating) their free range eggs.

We have received very positive feedback both from St Christopher’s staff and, more importantly, the young people who took part in the programme. The Homeless Intervention Project is already planning to host more of these residential training events in the near future.