At your PEP you will be asked about the kinds of things you like to do outside of school. Often you carer will be the one who can take you to activities and help you find the right places to go. If there is a cost involved for equipment or coaching then there is money that your social worker can apply for to help with this.
Most places have websites where you can find out where there are groups or classes. In Bristol this is Go Places Do Things.
Also, look at the 'Do stuff' section of this website - there is loads of stuff for you to get involved in all over Bristol.
For a list of out of school learning opportunities that ECLAS can help to support you with, click on any of the links below:
Not reading a book at the moment? That’s a shame. Do you belong to the library? It's really easy to join and there are loads of libraries around. If you live in Bristol you can click on the Library Link. Libraries have lots of books, DVDs, computer games and more that you can borrow for free.
If you do not live in Bristol your carer or school can help you find more information about the local library.
Write a review
Many young people have additional teaching outside of the school day.
Extra support is also available through supplementary schools and community schemes. If you would like to access any of this tell the people at your PEP meeting and they will help sort it out.
Rewarding achievement
Often a social worker or carer or teacher will tell The HOPE’s Head teacher about an achievement by a young person. Pippa (the Head teacher) then writes to them to say “well done”.
Everyone deserves to be rewarded and their achievements celebrated. In the PEP form there are lots of opportunities to recognise all the great things you do in and out of school.
Music
Singing and instrument lessons in school are free for children and young people in care. If there is something you want to learn please tell the people at your PEP meeting. The music service will lend your school an instrument. It is probably best not to choose something like the didgeridoo as it could be quite tricky finding a teacher!
Art Exhibitions
Have you joined your local library yet? It's free and easy!
Children and young people of all ages are welcome throughout the Library Service and are never too young to become library members.
Click here to find the nearest library to you. There are books, DVD's, Computer games and a space for you to chill out and relax...
Did you know that there are fun holiday crafts and activities, children's book groups and homework clubs in libraries too!
Museum Project
In 2010, Craig from ECLAS and 15 young people worked on an exciting project with Bristol Museum. The aim of the project was for the young people to create some innovative and exciting artworks based on objects from the museum.
Some of the young people got to go to the British Museum in London, and on the London Eye. They found out all about what museums do, some of the amazing objects that they have in their collections, they also got to have a go at handling everything from a mammoth’s tooth to a stuffed fox!
Some of the young people produced sculptures based on objects that they had seen in the museum and others created printed bags that were sold in the shop and helped pay for a meal at Pizza Hut! The projects were good fun and gave the young people a great opportunity to do all sorts of things people don't normally get to do - from going into the museum stores to having a sneak preview of Bristol's new museum, M Shed. If you would like to find out more, please feel free to contact Craig Barnett on 07981492024 or email - craig.barnett@bristol.gov.uk
Check out some of the works from the project below:
Aim Higher
Not enough young people who have been in care go on to Higher Education and attend university. In Bristol we have more care leavers in university than many other places but we always want to encourage more young people to think about this.
ECLAS Learning Mentors run a project called Aim Higher together with people from the local universities. They offer visits to the different universities and activities where student ambassadors come and meet up with you. At the moment this is for young people living in or near Bristol but if you live further away ECLAS can help you find a similar project near you.
Also many universities run Summer schools for pupils in year 11 and 12. Your school and ECLAS will have details of these and should be discussing with you at your first PEP in year 11.
Find something to read
