What is the Chrysalis Accelerator programme?
Chrysalis Accelerator programme targeted at Looked After Children (LAC), to raise their aspirations, attainment and confidence leading to successful applications to Higher Education and into work. The initiative has been developed by Highgate School and Future Foundations, in partnership with the virtual heads of Haringey, Enfield, Islington and Barnet.
- To raise the aspirations ,
- Improve confidence
- Develop their world of work skills.
The programme acheives these aims in a various ingenius ways. Some of the activities that are used on this programmes are discussions, Inspiring stories,team games a university visit , philosophy discussion, leaderships and presenting themselves for success.
Who’s involved?
Chrysalis Accelerator programme invites Looked after Children aged 10- 17 and their carers from Haringey, Barnet and Islington to take part in activities where they were able to recognise their existing talents and helped them consider skills they would like to develop using arts and crafts.
The programme consist of a series of Saturday’s which run from July 2015 to March 2016. On the days the number of young people that participate varieties on each delivery During the summer the number of young People dropped to 11 however the usual number of participants is 18- 22.
Owen Bailey
I had the pleasure of interviewing Owen the Course Director , about the program and his experiences of it :
Why did you decide to work on this program?
I decided to work on this programme because I have worked with children in care in the past and through that experience felt that more could be done to assist then in leaving care. This programme would raise the beliefs they had in themselves and what they could achieve .
What are your highlight from working on the program?
My highlights are when the programme is happening, seeing the Young people return time after time and participate with fun laughter and sharing form their own experiences
Most rewarding part of the program?
Engaging with the young people and knowing that a positive difference is being made to the Young People no matter how small it may seem.