Summer Memories To Last A Lifetime

This summer, the Urban Pursuit team had the continuing joy of seeing young lives impacted through adventure and relationship. Thanks to the support from the David Bell Adventure Bursary, we were able to offer an unforgettable experience to students from challenging backgrounds, helping them form friendships and create lasting memories.

One of our summer highlights involved two boys who reunited in our programme after initially knowing each other from school. When they spotted each other they spontaneously broke into dance – a moment filled with pure joy! Both boys, coming from home environments with various challenges, found fun and friendship through our sessions, particularly during a completely new experience of surfing at The Wave centre.

The high quality experiences were offered through our bursary fund, covering lunches where needed, as well as the activities themselves. Providing the transport as well was another step in removing as many barriers as possible to promote access to the provision.

On another day, a young man was initially resisting participation and hiding under his hood, but through having someone to come alongside him as a mentor, we witnessed a transformation. The young boy opened up and by the end of the day said, “This has been my best day since I’ve lived in England!” Meaningful moments.

While some young people may have only joined us for the summer, the impact has been profound. There have been opportunities to bring in other professionals for safeguarding support, as well as building better connections with parents. As we reflect on these stories, we’re grateful for the ongoing relationships with schools and the opportunity to support young people on their journeys towards resilience and hope.