The Boys’ Brigade and University of Bolton giving young people a brighter future

A pioneering programme to help young people achieve their full potential is being rolled out across the country by The Boys’ Brigade in partnership with the University of Bolton.

Young people from 1,200 Boy’s Brigade groups across the UK are now taking part in the ‘Your Future’ initiative.

Rev Dez Johnston, President of The Boys’ Brigade, saw for himself young people from the 35th Liverpool Boys Brigade in Childwall, getting involved in the programme.

Dez Johnston

He said: “We want all our young people to live their best lives and to raise aspirations and this programme from the University of Bolton is a great way to bridge the gap between youth education and Higher Education.

“I have been really impressed with how engaged the young people are with it and the feedback I have got is that everyone is loving the content and are really interested.”

Through the ‘Your Future’ programme boys and girls identify and develop their own skills, consider their future goals and dreams, as well as build self-confidence and independence.

There are separate programmes, one aimed at the ‘Company’ age group (11-14 years) and the other at ‘Seniors’ (14-18).

The two organisations have worked together to develop the programmes.

Funding from the University of Bolton has enabled The Boys’ Brigade to print and distribute printed resources free of charge to support the 1,200 Boys’ Brigade groups across the UK to deliver the programme.

A themed booklet for each age group, as well as activity sheets, resources and materials have been sent to groups and programmes have already begun across the country.

Alex Loughlin, aged 13, said he had enjoyed taking part in the ‘Fake News’ module of the programme. He said: "I felt like I learned a lot and it really does make you think and consider.”

Baroness Newlove, Pro Vice-Chancellor at the University of Bolton, who also attended the launch in Liverpool, said: “It is fantastic to see all these young people getting involved and watching them all having such fun while learning.

“Society likes to ‘box off’  our young people, especially the hard-working ones.  It is their time to shine.

“Watching these guys responding to the ‘fake or fact-checked news’ interactive session was brilliant.

“They were curious and intrigued as they worked out each question asked. I was totally blown away by their involvement in understanding aspects of future decisions to go to University.

"It is crucial to support young people to help them develop and to realise their full potential”.

“We at the University are so delighted to work with The Boys’ Brigade and truly support young people from all walks of life to become a future leader.” 

The ‘Your Future’ programmes have been created to be run over four or five weeks within a term and the majority of them can take place in a group’s normal meeting space.

As part of the programme, there are monthly competitions running for each age group including the shelter and balloon chair challenge.

Once a group has completed at least six activities in the programme they can apply for certificates of recognition which will be sent out to each young person.

These can be added to their Record of Achievement or to be presented to universities and future employers.

Register for the webinar explaining more about the ‘Your Future’ programmes: Webinar

For further information please contact The Boys’ Brigade at programme@boys-brigade.org.uk