‘Getting Out There’ Training Residentials

Imayla’s training package to support the development of core skills in organising and working on out-of-town trips, camps and residentials.  

Offered over a weekend residential the training, which was practical and experiential, is designed for youth and play workers, mentors, engagement workers, teachers, teaching assistants, social workers, project managers, event coordinators, creative and environmental workshop leaders, outdoor activity instructors and volunteer youth leaders.

The training highlights the benefit of using an arts, environmental and intercultural approach in working with children, young people and families and of change that is brought about by working in the natural environment and outside of the usual everyday experiences and routines. 

The programme includes:

  1. Reflections on working with inner city communities in the natural environment
  2. Building effective staff teams
  3. Behaviour management
  4. Health, safety and risk management
  5. Planning creative programmes of work
  6. Communication skills including storytelling
  7. Developing new project ideas

100% of trainees said they were more likely to develop outdoor work after the training, reporting the particular values of the course for them:

  • Experience of being in a fantastic setting
  • The sense of a shared experience
  • Meeting and planning with like-minded people
  • Reinforcing my belief that green spaces and environmental activities has a positive influence on all ages (staff and participants)
  • Experiencing the emotional impact that simple activities can achieve
  • Making meaningful risk benefit assessments
  • Importance of having a solid infrastructure to allow for creativity and adventure
  • Having a role helps when you are out of your comfort zone
  • The potential of storytelling
  • Embracing the unplanned
I saw how a weekend away can be so much more effective than months of work in the same environment.
Participant, Getting Out There Training (Feb 2013)
I have really got an idea of the transformative power of residentials spent out in nature.
Participant, Getting Out There Training (Feb 2013)
I feel more confident now that I know what I must do -- all the guidelines and safeguarding information. I feel easy, and the facilitators and the people, it was a very, very good atmosphere.
Youth worker Participant, Getting Out There Training (Feb 2011)
Before I came I would have felt out of my depth bringing a group of young people to the countryside but now after looking at all the different methods of engagement that you can use, I think that I would feel really confident if I felt supported within a really collaborative team of people.
Youth worker Participant, Getting Out There Training (Feb 2011)