Visits out of School

Trans-active Experiences

Learning - finding out about college and work

Visiting a local Further Education College

There were strong links between schools and local colleges. Young people visited the local college for lunch and the opportunity to be shown round by students studying at the college. Tutors were supportive and encouraged independence. Young people were able to have lunch in the college's canteen with the students and talked with them informally about their experiences. Information about particular courses and entry requirements was kept to a minimum.

Visiting a local workplace

Young people visited a local café run by people with a learning difficulty with support from their employers. Another group of young people had a visit in school from a person in a supported work placement with their job coach. Young people were able to see a video of the workplace and an interview with the employer. Following this they were able to ask questions about work.

Leisure - Going out for Fun with a Friend

A visit to McDonalds

Young people visited McDonalds to buy their lunch. Walking to McDonalds involved the peer supporters drawing a map of the route using symbols to identify key features on the way e.g. a church, traffic lights, the car park, etc. In McDonalds, remember to remind young people to ask for a receipt before ordering their meals as McDonalds do not usually give a receipt.

A visit to a local supermarket

Young people visited a large supermarket to buy a snack and a magazine of their choice. Choices have to be made about the cost of a magazine and how much will be left over to buy a snack. Remember that the cost of travelling to the supermarket by bus has to be allowed for in the total cost of the visit.

A visit to local shops

Young people visited the local shops when McDonalds or a large supermarket were too far away for a visit. Choices were made about healthy eating snacks that can easily be bought in a local shop. Young people also bought a magazine of their choice. Walking to the local shops also required the peer supporters to draw a map.

All young people were given £3.50 each to spend as they chose. Receipts were kept for each purchase and any spare money was returned.

It is important to remind peer supports not to bring any additional money from home. The purpose of the visit is to help their partner to budget and make choices within this budget as well as doing this themselves.

It is recommended that any accompanying staff encourage the peer supporters to assist their partners making choices and take a low key role themselves.

After School Activities with a friend

School activities and clubs vary considerably. Some schools may have a youth club or sports activity that can accommodate extra visitors.

Meeting after school or a youth club means making arrangements for parents/carers to collect young people after the activity.

If this is impossible, due to transport arrangements, a local youth centre can be booked and used for a peer support session during school time.

Visiting your peer supporters school

It wasn't until the very end of the pilot project that some young people visited their peer supporter's school! The Awards Event can be held at the peer supporter's school as there are likely to be enough computers for showing the completed passports to family and friends.