Through our extensive experience working with adults it became apparent that people were often unhappy and unmotivated in their jobs due to lack of support and direction in relation to career choices earlier in their lives. To address this issue Windmills designed STAR, an exciting, unique resource aimed at 14-19 year olds to help them to:
- Understand a little bit more about who they are
- Explore what they really want from their life
- Develop self reliance and life management skills
- Make more informed choices about their career and their future
- Develop a practical plan to help them to achieve their ambitions
- Be inspired to realise their true potential
- Enjoy what they do and live a life they love
We believe everyone is a star in their own right and that each and every one of us has talents and qualities that should be celebrated. This energetic, engaging, activity based programme helps young people to do just that.
Throughout the year we run STAR Champions Programmes to take individuals who work with young people through the star resource. Working through this training programme of creative resources and activities, allows individuals to experience the programme first hand and go on to become a 'Champion' and deliver it with conviction and enthusiasm.
We provide 'Champions' with the support needed to deliver STAR effectively to the young people they work with, by helping them to shape the programme and define the best ways to deliver it within their context, to their target group. Once an individual has become a STAR Champion they are licensed to deliver the programme to young people for a period of twelve months within their organisation, school, group or designated area. Our Champions Programmes are also an opportunity to share best practice and innovative ideas with fellow professionals.
STAR can be delivered in a number of formats in or outside of the school environment by individuals who have a Star Champions Licence. Within schools STAR can provide teachers and careers specialists with a new advice and guidance framework and an innovative toolkit to help 14-19 year olds realise their true potential. STAR can fit under a number of agendas and complement other initiatives such as; CEG programmes, Enterprise, Citizenship, PSHE and Work Related Learning and it can be delivered by; teachers. Careers Co-ordinators, Connextions staff and LEA representatives.
Outside schools the programme can be delivered by leaders within Sports Clubs, Girl Guides and Scouts, Make Your Mark, Youth Clubs, Young Offenders Programmes and Volunteering Programmes
Feedback from young people and teaching staff has been excellent and with the continued support of NWDA under the Workwise project we are now disseminating the resource across the region. If you work with young people and you are passionate about providing them with the skills they need to take control of their future and create a life that inspires them or if you would like to know more about this unique programme and resource please contact Sharon Nicholson on s.nicholson@liv.ac.uk or Carol Buckman on cbuckman@liverpool.ac.uk.
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