Off the Bench and on Track for Success

Going Forward’s Partnership with the Falkirk Foundation’s Cashback Off the Bench Programme

The Going Forward team are delighted to have rekindled our long-term partnership relationship with Falkirk Foundation and their Cashback Off the Bench Programme. We recently caught up with Declan Kidd to chat about how our Going Forward workshop sessions continue to:

• complement and enhance the work of the Off the Bench Programme
• improve the knowledge, confidence and resilience of young people they work with
• deliver a marked impact in young people’s decision making on a range of risk-taking behaviours.

Can you tell us a bit about the Off The Bench Programme?

The Off the Bench programme is for 16-24-year-olds at risk of offending. It will combine physical activity and classroom time; with content focusing on developing young people’s confidence, improving employability skills, speaking to employers, mock interviews and help gaining employment while also improving your physical health.

How do the Going Forward sessions complement and enhance the work that you already deliver?

The sessions delivered by Donald align perfectly with the Off the Bench programme, offering exactly the kind of support and guidance that young people need at this stage in their lives. They not only reinforce the core messages we aim to deliver but also add valuable insight. Particularly around the impact that alcohol and drugs can have on both personal and professional aspects of life. These sessions strengthen the overall programme by deepening understanding and encouraging reflection among participants.

What did you particularly like about the sessions?

The sessions delivered by Donald were both highly interactive and informative. He has a great ability to engage young people by delivering content in a way that genuinely connects with their experiences. His approach makes the sessions not only educational but also relatable and impactful.

What sort of impact have the sessions had on the young people that you support?

The sessions clearly made a strong impression, as the young people continued discussing what they had learned during our physical activity sessions. This ongoing conversation is a positive sign that key messages from the sessions resonated with them. We’re hopeful that the information shared will not only stay with them but also influence the choices they make in their personal lives moving forward.

Want to find out more about Going Forward?

To find out more about the Going Forward project, or discuss ways in which Going Forward could work with your organisation to develop and deliver a programme of sessions tailored to the specific needs of the young people that you support, simply e-mail the team, or give us a call:

• Donald Lockhart: donald@fastforward.org.uk
• Telephone: 0131 554 4300.