BOOM!

BOOM! is a fantastic programme of positive activities for young people aged 5 - 18, covering the whole of Norfolk. The project is funded by NCC Children’s Services and run jointly by The Benjamin Foundation and the Mancroft Advice Project (MAP). BOOM! is designed to give young people – particularly disadvantaged client groups, the opportunity to try something different, meet new friends, broaden their horizons and raise their aspirations.

The project targets those young people who currently have limited access to positive activities, whether because of financial or social barriers, including:

Looked After Children
Young Carers
Poor attendance at or excluded from school or SEN
Disability / mental health
Family crisis
At risk of offending
NEET

As well as offering our own structured programme of activities, workshops and courses (see below for a taster), BOOM! acts as a referral point to access a wide range of activities from other providers across the county, and provides 1:1 support to the level required by the young person. Young people can be referred by completing a referral form and providing supporting information, such as their CAF assessment.

What We Do at BOOM!

The activities below represent just some of what the BOOM! programme delivers. We are continually listening to young people to develop our programme.

Accredited Learning

A wide range of units covering skills including health and hygiene, cookery, budgeting, teamwork and debates

Participatory Budgeting

Based around community decision-making, young people receive training around budgeting, assessing need and evaluating decisions on behalf of young people in their community. Once trained, they’ll receive a real budget to allocate to young people who apply for grants/donations towards a positive activity of their choice.

Residential experiences

A variety of experiences held locally and nationally to increase confidence, tolerance and team work and broaden horizons through outdoor activities and a variety of challenges. Residentials also encourage leadership and responsibility as participants develop their own guidelines for communal living. These trips are run with up to 15 young people, all of a similar age.

One to One Support

For young people who struggle to access positive activities, or who just need that extra bit of help. Support is tailored to individual need but includes initial contact, identification of appropriate activities, building relationships, arranging transport for events/activities and attending activities with young people until they have the confidence to go on their own. Support is offered to all young people engaging with BOOM!

First Experiences, Trips and Visits

These can include everything from a visit to an event or attraction, a workshop to gain new skills in an area the young person is interested in, or something as simple as experiencing something for the first time, like a trip to the seaside or a woodland walk

For further information, contact:

Polly Kane, County BOOM! Co-ordinator
07774 338153
boom@benjaminfoundation.co.uk

Bev, Development Worker – South

07774 338150

bev.townsend@benjaminfoundation.co.uk

Michael, Development Worker – North

07774 338152

Michael.rooke@benjaminfoundation.co.uk

Stewart, Development Worker – West

07774 338151

Stewart.cott@benjaminfoundation.co.uk

Gillian, Development Worker – Central