The
Youth Scholarship - Development and Leadership Program, (delivered by Adventurous Experiences), is now
sponsored by Conister Bank. Recently endorsed as a finalist in the Isle of Man
Newspapers Awards for Excellence (Corporate Social Responsibility) the program
enables young students from the Isle of Man to rise to be part of a team
embarking in a once of a lifetime, shared experience.
“Our Youth Scholarship is the main
community project we deliver, and until now we have funded the program entirely
ourselves. We are absolutely delighted to partner with the team at Conister
Bank, who share our values and vision for the Isle of Man.
Through journeying and progression
we promote discovery and self-reliance. This youth program is an integrated
piece of our continuous learning framework. It is a focus point of our
long-term strategy to foster a joined-up approach to decision-making on the
Isle of Man.
Coaching people - changing
perspectives.”
Keirron Tastagh - Owner & Lead
Coach, Adventurous Experiences
The
decision to continue a program with large demands on time and money in an
extremely challenging financial period was driven by belief that the benefits
(giving back to the community) outweighed the risks (less personal income).
“It reinforced our core values. It
demonstrated ‘leading from the front. It is the outdoor experiences which gain
the perspective to be able to see the benefits of the process.”
- Keirron Tastagh –
“We first met Keirron
in September when we had a great team building event with Adventurous
Experiences. When we discovered the lengths to which he goes to help
others through the Youth Scholarship Program, we knew that this was something
that we wanted to be involved with as our approach to sponsorship is to try and
make a real difference to the lives of people on the Isle of Man.”
Juan Kelly – Managing Director, Conister Bank
Juan, Andy, Keirron. Photo by Mike Wade, IoM Newspapers
Prospective students and parents also have the opportunity to
see what the last intake got up to at the ‘Vancouver Island 2014 Expedition’
presentation on Tues 30th December 7pm, at Ballabrooie.
The training program consists of weekly 2 to 3 hour
training sessions, interspersed with a few multi-day experiences, delivered by
our professional coaching team and entirely funded by Adventurous Experiences
and Conister Bank. Separate to this, the student’s only financial contribution
is to the costs of their final overseas expedition.
Some thoughts from previous students on the program:
"You
won't truly realise the benefits until after you have completed the expedition
and having the motivation to do something you may not have the opportunity to
do again.." Sarah Reeday – Castle Rushen High School
“I’ve learnt
how to be more of a team player. I’ve
learnt how to compromise more, adjusting myself for those who need help. Not
trying to go for self-goals, go for team goals instead.” Fergus Veale – Castle Rushen High School
“The trip has given me confidence
in areas that I previously would have reared away from… despite how difficult
things ever become… I know I've tackled worse.” Leon Landels - Castle Rushen High School
“Stay positive about everything and you can do
whatever you set your mind to.” Mairi Shimmins – Queen Elizabeth II High
School
By
providing an environment where individuals can learn to manage risks
responsibly, by showing a pathway to achieving your own goals, and by
progressively handing over responsibility to you for your own learning,
opportunity for development is maximised.
“Skills
are built more effectively with innovative coaching. We believe in the young
people’s capacity to grow, and using our skills help them unlock their
potential. We have provided regular relevant purposeful practice, tasks that
stretch current beliefs and 'limitations', combined with specific feedback
based on extensive coaching experience.”
John Keggin - Program Manager
“The exact solutions to the challenges we face
may not be known when the journey is started. It needs belief and a positive
attitude, a desire to challenge yourself, to turn the problems into
opportunities. What we are talking about is seeing options, a perspective on life.”
Keirron Tastagh
The
summer 2012 expedition had an initial intake of 30. It was led by Sam Murphy
and Rebecca Goodson, who in turn had come through earlier programs. This was a
full circle in the program, and very gratifying for everyone who was involved.
“With the added responsibility of ensuring the safety
of the group, the resourcefulness, flexibility and problem solving skills which
the Youth Scholarship Program teaches, became essential. The values which I had
learnt through my own experiences as a participant were just as applicable in a
leadership role, it is satisfying to see others discover and to develop the
same skills in themselves as they progress through the training and into the
expedition.”
Rebecca Goodson - student on 2008/09 program
“I learned how to be independent,
make my own decisions, and take responsibility for my actions.”
“…it allowed me to see where I had
come from as a student, to where I am now as a coach. The experience to me
clarified the theory that anything is possible if you work at it enough. This
is something I take with me now in my own business on the Isle of Man.
Between 2006 and now my attitude,
physicality, mental fortitude, dedication and desire to succeed have all
drastically improved. All of which began to develop, and will continue to do so
because of the initial lessons learned during my Youth Scholarship process.”
Sam Murphy, MSc,
ASCC - student on 2006/07 program
Adventurous Experiences is an Adventure Sports Centre enjoying its 11th
year, delivering professional outdoor training and experiences on the Isle of
Man. The philosophy is unique both in its approach
to training, the shared values between all stakeholders in engaging in outdoor
activity which involves real challenge, and using that dynamic environment to
change perspectives.
Community
projects we deliver assist evidence based decision making, bringing long-term
solutions to current social, environmental, health and community needs.
