What is Forever Young?

The Youth Coaching Academy’s Forever Young seminar is the ultimate developmental experience for young people. Forever Young is a powerful five-day residential personal and community development seminar, which offers young people the opportunity to experience magical moments which will enrich their life, invest in their community and  support the belief that they can make the impossible possible. Young people from all walks of life join together to strengthen their belief in their unlimited potential and rediscover who they really are.

Forever Young is also an opportunity to meet new friends and build a supportive peer group. Participants learn how to get on with people whom they may not  necessarily believe they would. Its not just a camp where there are physical activities to keep young people occupied, it’s a  personal and community development seminar, where young people will be learning key distinctions in the areas of:      

Facilitated by leading professionals in their respective fields and supported by a team of youth coaches trained by the Academy In addition the event is designed to ensure all learning styles are catered for and this is supported by a team of experienced audio-visual technicians utilising cutting edge technology.

Outcomes

The overall outcome of the seminar is that all participants to have a greater awareness of who they are and to have many experiences to back up their chosen identities.

Forever Young incorporate daily doses of the fundamental principals of being Forever Young: Playing, Singing, Dancing, Learning, Laughing, Loving and Overcoming Fear.

At the seminar young people will:

Who is it for?

Anyone between the ages of twelve and seventeen inclusive. The Youth Coaching Academy actively challenges the labels that are put onto young people and we use the following labels to ensure that all young people have the opportunity to experience the process.

Young people are identified from across Europe and are representative of the three following labels.

Each group will have a balance between gender and ethnicity and we welcome young people who feel they have physical or learning challenges.

The application process

Young people may apply directly to be considered to be a participant or they may be recommended by parents/teachers/YOT workers/ Connexions PA’s/friends. All must complete a simple expression of interest form before

application and appropriate consent forms shall be sent out. On receipt of the completed forms the Forever Young team will shortlist successful applicants. All short listed individuals will be contacted to ensure they understand what the process involves and the boundaries of the camp used for the event. All participants accepted on to Forever Young will be notified one month prior to the event.

Cost

The unit cost for each young person is £500. However a percentage of places are sponsored by the Youth Coaching Academy and its supporters, outstanding individuals and organisations who actively value contribution and the development of young people. Any young people and or their families/carers/referrers who can contribute towards the cost are encouraged to do so. This will ensure a place before short-listing participants to receive sponsored places (one month before the event).

Testimonials

“Finally I felt like everything was straight- forward and I could keep going and be who I really was”

“It’s fun, you learn about yourself.”

“It’s somewhere you go to feel better and stronger about yourself mentally and physically. I notice now that I have a lot more confidence.”

“I feel as if I understand myself better and I can now grow on that and achieve anything I want.”

“I learnt how to control myself and how to understand people around me and not to judge people on their appearance.”

“Forever Young is like a door way to success.”

“After the week was over I was heart broken but I was happy because I knew that was the one week that I’ll never forget.”

“Since Forever Young, me and my best mate have  become so close it’s unbelievable ! ”

“I missed a whole week of Eastenders for Forever Young, and I never miss Eastenders for anything, that’s how much it means to me.”

“I talk better now and everyone respects me because they understand me, I feel so great.”

“The activities were brilliant.”

”I learnt that I don’t have to keep things in, just speak up and also my confidence is much better..”

“I don’t cry in front of anyone, it makes you fell silly, but I could cry in front of them because they all cared for me and everyone else and that’s what made the week so brilliant”.

“For me the trip was very emotional I have learnt so much about myself. I will use my new skills to benefit my life and I will achieve my dreams because I am special and  I know I can.”

“Forever Young is a once in a lifetime opportunity, so grab it with both hands and pull yourself in. It was the best experience of my life".