Free Outward Bound courses from The Sir Francis Chichester Trust.

The Sir Francis Chichester Trust is once again offering FREE places on the 2-week Outward Bound courses to young people who live in Devon (including Plymouth and Torbay) and who are aged 16-22 at the time of the course, which will be July/August 2024. The Trust is keen to receive applications and so would be glad if you could encourage any suitable young people to apply and also bring this opportunity to the attention of colleagues who might know of suitable candidates.

The course is designed to help participants make an effective transition into sixth form, further education or work and is a chance to have a life-shaping adventure with people from all over the world, to know what they are truly capable of achieving and to stand out in a crowded market place. The courses are held at the Outward Bound centres in the Lake District, Wales and Scotland.

The aim of the courses is that young people challenge themselves, demonstrate progress through 1:1 action planning focussed on personal development, work outside of their normal friendship group and leave with a breadth of experience that will enrich personal statements and set them aside from other young people. The main benefits for the young people are seen in greatly improved self-confidence and team working abilities, together with raised aspirations.

The Trust looks for candidates that wouldn’t normally have a chance to undertake anything of this nature and will be able to enjoy and benefit from the experience, however the Trust cannot support any young people that at the time of their course are subject to a youth offending order and also that if a young person has been supported by the Trust previously they are unlikely to be funded for a further course.

The Sir Francis Chichester Trust will meet the full course fee (around £1,900/person) for successful applicants and ask that they are responsible for their own transport to the Outward Bound centre of their choice. However, if transport costs are prohibitive then we will look at additional support if possible.

The closing date for applications is Tuesday 23 January 2024 with interviews for those shortlisted being held 29 February and 1 March 2024. Young people applying must be available on one or other of these dates. An application form can be downloaded from the Trust website http://chichestertrust.org.uk and there’s a video clip about the course available.

This is a wonderful opportunity for young people who wouldn’t normally have a chance to undertake anything of this nature so do please think of any young people you know who might benefit and if you have any queries then please do get in touch.