Nacro gives Sheffield and Doncaster teens army training
10-12-2009
Thirty-five teenagers from Sheffield and Doncaster will be graduating from an innovative Nacro army course next week, designed to re-engage young people who aren’t in education, training or work.
Many of the 16 to 19 year-olds on the Nacro Army Preparation Course have struggled at school and this project is designed to boost their confidence and skills through a more practical approach to learning.
Over a period of six months, the group are put through their paces with tough physical challenges alongside lessons in numeracy and literacy. They take part in weekly boxing, fitness and running sessions as well as team-building activities and classes to raise their confidence and self-esteem.
Sixteen year-old Tony Matthewman from Rotherham will be one of those graduating. He says: “I didn’t really like school much. I’m not very academic, I prefer being active. I’ve always wanted to join the army because my cousin is a soldier and he’s a role model for me.
“After I finished my GCSE’s I didn’t really know what to do with myself. Coming on this course has been amazing, much better than I expected. When I first started it took me about 14 minutes to run a mile-and-a-half, now I can do it in just over 8 minutes. It’s been hard work, and I’ve given it 100%.”
Nacro project worker Simon Rodgers runs the Sheffield course. He says: “When they first come to Nacro, a lot of the group are lacking in confidence and struggle to look you in the eye. Many of them have been let down by the mainstream education system and their only experience of learning is in a classroom.
“It’s really rewarding watching them grow and develop while they’re with us. As part of the army recruitment process, they have to give a three-minute presentation, which is a fantastic achievement considering how shy they often are at the start.”
The group will be graduating in a special ceremony at Cutler's Hall in Sheffield. In addition to this, eighteen of the group, will be making their oath of allegiance and officially joining the army on the night.
