Two participants were identified to have very low confidence when starting with ADTRAC which is a part of Working Denbighshire. ADTRAC Outreach and Engagement officers used the DPS provision to procure an Outdoor Confidence Course. The winning bidders were Canfod Cymru as they offered a flexible approach to suit the participants needs. The Canfod Cymru session leaders are experienced in the provision of non-mainstream training techniques to individuals and groups who have barriers to progression such as low confidence, anxiety, challenging behaviours and limiting health issues.
The Confidence Course consisted of 5 sessions and included the below:
- Geocaching woodland walk – modern ‘treasure hunt’ using GPS technology.
- Bush craft – Campfire cooking, flint and steel / Bow and drill fire making, foraging, archery, knot work and greenwood crafts.
- Woodland management – Traditional coppicing, willow working, building a willow hurdle.
- Woodland management – Willow working, building a willow hurdle, bird and bat boxes
- Tree planting – Long Forest volunteering
These activities were all held in locations around the local area such as Nature For Health, Coed Y Morfa and Gwyrch Castle. The participants also joined in with a small group of volunteers who have developed and maintained the Morfa Gateway site.
The combination of different locations and activities enabled to participants to take an active approach to learn new skills, while exploring the local community. They met new people which gave them the opportunity to enhance their communication skills and build their social skills.
The volunteering aspect of the course assisted the participants with developing a sense of purpose and greater self-esteem. Both participants were able to step back and see that they have achieved something visible and beneficial, to the community, to people and to the environment; giving them a sense of achievement. All of which has encouraged the participants to progress to further education and / or employment.
In addition to this, the participants learnt a variety of skills including; teamwork, communication, problem solving and map skills. Both participants felt the confidence course encouraged them to speak their minds and they found it easier to make new friends. The leader of the confidence course stated that over the 5 sessions he could see a positive development in both participants. Their confidence grew from session to session.
Overall, the Confidence Course promoted the Five Ways to Wellbeing:
- Connect – Developing communication skills and confidence through meeting new people, creating friends and working as a team
- Be active – Working in the outdoors, walking, moderate level activities in a low risk safe environment
- Take Notice – Visiting new places, being outdoors and being curious
- Learn – Work skills and goal setting to enhance self esteem
- Give – Volunteering and helping others increases self-worth
Working Denbighshire will continue to support individuals with low confidence to achieve their goals and aspirations!
