How have Real United helped young people?

 

Attitude and behaviour:

• "I have got less of an attitude and I am attending more lessons in a better manner."
• "I feel more confident and mature and...like I’ve turned into a bigger person than I was before."
• "Now I realise that if I don’t start listening then I will be nobody in life."
• "It made me realise that if I mess up in school then I won’t be able to get a good job."
• "I wasn’t bothered about my attitude before, but now I am."
• "The mentors have shown me the outcome of my behaviour and that is what has changed within me."
• "Now I feel proud about my work, because I have put all of my effort into it."

 

Mentoring sessions:

• "I feel more engaged in learning because of the mentoring sessions, it has calmed me down."
• "I realise all the things that Roger has said has changed my life, because I don’t want to end up in crime."
• "It made a difference because we could talk about things with them and they understand us."
• "Roger has experience the same and can see my point of view."
• "They’ve made me smile, you can talk about anything, I am more confident and they are like my family."

 

Lunchtime activities:

• "I think being in music was the biggest impact on me because I could express myself out loud."
• "The workshop we have with one of the mentors is good because we talk briefly and she helps me out on stuff, like if I have a problem she will help me solve it."
• "We play football every Monday, Wednesday and Friday and we burn all our frustration and energy in the session."
• "It’s made me realise that drugs and crime are just a waste of time."
• "Now I am aware of gun and knife crime and it really upsets me."

 

On the future:

• "I want to make something of myself and my family."
• "I want to have a good life and not throw away chances that have been given to me."
• "I learnt that you only have one life so don’t spoil it."
• "Because I have a dream and I am going to aim for that dream."
• "I feel good, happy, confident, thank you to all the mentors for helping me change."

 

Feedback from the staff at Djanogly Academy

 

"[The Real United] team has made a real difference to students – they are now more polite to reception staff overall. I have noticed a real difference. You are doing a fantastic job, keep up the good work."

 

Mentoring:

 

"I personally believe that the family mentoring sessions are key to helping to change attitudes and behaviours and improve communication between all parties."

 

"The students have a mentor, someone they respect that can work with them on a regular basis on all aspects of their life at school. They can have a positive impact, but also support staff with sanctioning them where necessary. The mentor actually getting in touch with the teachers and explaining ways in which they can support staff is a real improvement on similar strategies from the past."

 

"Students view the mentors as non-threatening, as opposed to authority figures that they perceive teachers to be, so want to develop relationships with them."

 

"Students who previously found it difficult to open up would willingly share concerns with Roger and work with him to resolve issues and move forwards in a positive way."

 

"One particular student has shown an incredible transformation in his whole personal demeanour since being on the project and developing a trusting relationship with Roger. This student I really did not think would stick with it but he has been attending regularly and self-esteem has soared."

 

"Pupils seem to have really engaged with the project and look forward to attending the sessions. There have been some definite changes in the attitudes of some pupils around the corridors and speaking to them on a 1:1 basis."

 

Lunchtime activities:

 

"Self-esteem among the boys has improved, some of the students had friends that wanted to join. Lunchtime activities helped to calm many of the students down during the afternoon."

 

"[It] raised awareness about issues such as knife crime, gang culture and drugs through the workshop session, hopefully equipping the students with knowledge to help them make the right choices in the future."

 

"One of our year 7 boys was spotted at the Football academy and is now having trials for Notts County."

 

"The production of the DVD this term was a huge ask and I am amazed at the final product and the quality. This really makes you appreciate how our young people feel and that we need to take time out to listen to them."

 

Feedback from our coaches

 

"The programme has made me more responsive in dealing with young people’s needs."

 

"Football sessions encourage the young people to respect each other and work together in teams of individuals that they normally wouldn’t associate themselves with. I would class this as breaking down social barriers that the young people have themselves created. In addition to this, The FA soccer star programme that we offer to all participants, gives the young people a target to work towards that is accredited to the national governing body for our sport."

 

Feedback from parents

 

"In my opinion, it appears to have bonded the students together more. My son particularly enjoys the football and music."

 

"I felt included at all stages of the project. My son discussed some of the things they had been doing and the mentors were available for discussion if I had any concerns."