Xpand Champions

The purpose of ‘Xpand Champions’ is to offer young people with a sense of belonging, identity, opportunities, a platform for young people's voice and making informed decisions. The varied activities will enable the group to learn and achieve together, whilst making a positive difference in the community and other young people’s lives. At the same time, it helps “improve health, wellbeing and enabling them to stay safe, preventing them from hanging around on the streets, a pathway for young people to gain meaningful experiences, transferable skills, interact and connect with diverse groups in different surroundings”.

As part of this journey, 'Xpand champions' volunteers will be rewarded for their time, dedication and achievements with an accreditation-award, participation certificate and a celebration and presentation event.

'Xpand Champions' volunteering project aims are:

1. Volunteers will gain interpersonal, transferable, entrepreneurship, digital - IT and employability skills.

As part of the volunteers development and outcomes, Shipman Youth Zone team will identify volunteers individual needs around employment and education, will support each individual with employability skills, progression routes, creating cv's and interview techniques by working with them on a one to one basis. Furthermore, Shipman staff will support Xpand Champions towards achieving certified/accredited courses and awards such as Duke of Edinburgh, level 2 customer service skills, and food and hygiene.

2. Delivering community events - 'Tea & Dance', 'Tournament with prizes'. These activities will be organised by 'Xpand champion volunteers' hosting for the elderly and vulnerable community.

3. Co-product and work in partnership with existing and new partners, some we already had consultations with to explore ideas and resources e.g.

- 'Canning Creative Cinema for film making',

- We're ahead of the curve for entrepreneurship,

- Custom House Library to connect with their elderly group during their coffee morning session