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Hitz: a term of success

The HITZ programme rounded off 2019 with 21 young people enrolled on the programme, and with another recruitment drive due in February, the programme continues to go from strength to strength after a very productive first term.

Our HITZ programme was given the opportunity of piloting the NCS programme along with several other clubs. This was an opportunity for our learners, many of whom have never been away from home before, a chance to develop key life skills and get to know each other a little more. Whilst away they had the opportunity to experience caving, canoeing, climbing, a camp fire and many other experiences that have truly affected them in a positive way.

On return from South Wales our learners were straight into week 2 of NCS. This consisted of understanding social action and developing their social action project, an intro into Ahead Of The Game and finally an opportunity to develop employability skills at HSBCs office in Canary Wharf. The learners were able to develop communication and leadership skills as well as ask questions about the world of finance, all topped off with a trip to the 40th floor to check out some spectacular views over the city.

The learners also volunteered to support the successful Celebration of Rugby event, and had a great time supporting the foundation and being able to give a little bit back to their community.

The same week they welcomed Litsitso into the programme for the day to learn about the incredible work he is doing with the Lesotho Rugby Academy, offering them the opportunity to ask thoughtful questions and allowed them to reflect on their own situations.

Jenson from The Magic Bus came in for the day to learn more about HITZ as well as discuss the fantastic work his organisation is doing and it even inspired a few learners to think about how lucky they are in comparison to some of the young people Jenson works with. They where an absolute credit to the foundation, asking questions that where respectful and thoughtful.

The learners welcomed the team from Movember in to talk about AOTG, and dry run the wonderful resources that have been put together to support young people really understand theirs and their peers mental health. Again, this was a welcome talk and the learners have been very reflective of this session.

Together with the Saracens HITZ programme we where invited to the Emirates Stadium to learn about the vast array of jobs on offer at Arsenal. The learners where able to interact with staff at Arsenal to discover what it takes to work at the club and really understand the different roles the sports sector has to offer.

To sign off the year The Foundation has been granted a direct licence to run the Duke of Edinburgh Award. Again this will see us as a foundation be able to offer something different to our learners, and as we move forward hopefully the wider club and community.

Danny Leeds, HITZ Officer, said: “ Programmes like HITZ are so important for the most vulnerable and at risk young people within our communities. It is an honour and privilege to be able to offer so many fantastic enrichment and learning opportunities to the young people on our courses. A massive well done and congratulations to them all for all their hard work over the course of the first term”.

The HITZ programme is now recruiting for the February intake, so if you fancy getting involved in some of these activities, whilst also gaining a Level 1 Employability qualification, then please contact Danny Leeds on danny.leeds@nullquins.co.uk.

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