Young People Mix It Up with GOTB
For the past 8 weeks several lucky participants from Fox Street and Blackrod Youth centres were given the opportunity to enhance their mixing skill. The GOTB team worked alongside Xtreme Inclusion to deliver a DJ program that gave the young people the chance to acquire an AQA. The program took the young people through the core skills required to become a DJ, looking at mixing songs together, creating their own music, scratching and burning CDs and the correct procedures for setting up the equipment.
In order for the young people to acquire the music AQA they produced a CD demonstrating their ability to mix two songs together in a seamless fashion. They were also required to set up and take down the equipment in a safe professional manner.
One of the young people said “Learning how to mix different songs together has been brilliant. I didn’t realise how much the DJ has to do in order to mix the two songs together. There is so much to think about such as pitch, timing and beats.”
Our education and awareness officer Paul Makinson stated “Seeing the young people get so involved in the project has been fantastic. I knew the group liked listening to music but I was unsure if they would take part in the project, however my concerns were soon dismissed as the levels of commitment and enthusiasm shown from the young people has been brilliant”.
We are looking at the possibility of delivering a similar music AQA in the New Year which will hopefully develop the skills of the young people further.
For further information on times and venues please click here
Free Football sessions in October Half Term
BWCT are able to offer the young people of Horwich the chance to take part in free coaching sessions. The sessions will take place at Horwich astroturf in station park on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of half term week.
Sessions are FREE to attend and will be staff by quality coaches from BWCT. The sessions are open to all young people from 8 upwards and all abilities are welcome.
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Day
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Time
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Venue
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Surface
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Monday 24 /10/11
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11am -1pm
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Horwich Astroturf-Station Park
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Astroturf
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Tuesday 25/10/11
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11am -1pm
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Horwich Astroturf-Station Park
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Astroturf
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Wednesday 26/10/11
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11am -1pm
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Horwich Astroturf-Station Park
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Astroturf
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Thursday 27/10/11
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11am -1pm
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Horwich Astroturf-Station Park
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Astroturf
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GOTB TACKLE DELTA FORCE
During the last week of the summer holidays the Get Off The Bench staff took a group of 17 young adults on a day trip that will last long in their memory. The trip was to one of the biggest paintball venues in the North West:-Yankeewood Delta Force paintball centre.
Throughout the day the young people tried to take over a fortress, compete in team death matches, protect presidents and took part in a general free for all. Each game had a different game zone that ranged from Afghan Fort to Zombies Crypt. All the young people thoroughly enjoyed the day even though several of them went home with small trophies in the form of bruises.
Thanks must go out to the Delta Force Team for their expertise and guidance throughout the day. Danny, our marshal for the day was fantastic in ensuring that our group had a brilliant time and was always on hand to point us to the best hiding places where we lay in wait for our next victims.
For further information about upcoming events click here.
GOTB Visit RAMP CITY
During the course of the school holidays the GOTB team are organising three trips. One of which was visiting Ramp City, Blackpool in which 14 young people had the opportunity to improve their skate boarding skills at one of the best skate parks in the North West.
The young people who are involved in the project came from Fox Street and Blackrod youth centres. All enjoyed the day with Connor Hill impressing everyone as he was the first person to drop in on what is one of the biggest half pipes in the country. Connor showed no signs of nerves as he stood at the top of the half pipe with an ever gathering audience watching with bated breath as he dropped in to tackle the pipe. Connor dint disappoint as he finished his run to a huge round of applause and the sound of skate boards being banged on the floor as a sign of approval.
The day was a huge success with all participants leaving the park with huge smiles and asking if we could go again, which I am sure we will do in the near future.
For further information on events and times click here.
GOTB Summer Activities
During the course of the summer holidays GOTB have been busy planning various multi sport activities. Working along side Sport Active Living Services we have organised for the boxing arena to be put up inside Fox Street youth centre on three separate Friday nights.
On each occasion the young people that attend the session will get to practice with a professionally trained instructor that will put them through their paces using pads, target mitts and full body punching suits.
The instructor on the night, Ian from Sport Active Living taught the young people all the basics of boxing, how to stand correctly, using the correct punch at the correct time and how to bob and weave effectively.
The young people that took part in the session soon realised how dedicated the professional boxers are as fitness plays a big part in boxing, even a short workout is extremely tiring not only on the arms but also on the legs.
For more information on youth centre opening times and upcoming events please click here.
GOTB Go Fishing
During the May/June half term Bolton Wanderers Community Trust’s Get Off The Bench team took a small group to Bradshaw Fisheries to experience the highs and lows of fishing.
We had a near perfect day for fishing with most fish caught in the margins. The pick of the bunch was Sam’s 3 ½ pound ghost carp. Sam was a first time fisher but was over the moon when his whip rod was almost pulled into the water, after a 15 minute fight Sam managed to land the fish.
All eight participants managed to catch at least three fish and some even managed to catch 12. Most of the fish being caught were chub, bream, roach and the odd small carp.
Thanks must go to Get Hooked On Fishing as without the help and expertise of the qualified coaches many of the lads would have gone home empty handed. The staff showed the lads how to use various fishing methods such as feeder rods, whips and poles as well as how to unhook and release the fish.
For more information and times of GOTB trips and venues click here.
UK Skate Park Trip
The Get Off The Bench project recently visited Uk Skate, Stockport. The 10 young adults had the chance to hone their skating skills in one of the North West’s best know skating parks.
The group from Fox Street youth centre visited the park during Easter half term, the park itself is made up of three large units which are inter connected, unit 1 contains mostly smaller equipment that is aimed at skate boarders.
Unit 2 is the street area and unit 3 is the transition and “real street” area. Below are some more pictures of the young adults enjoying themselves.
The group thoroughly enjoyed their afternoon and can’t wait to go again.
For more information on events up and coming and times the youth centres are open please click here
Ramp City Skate Park
The Get Off The Bench team recently took a group of young people to Ramp City a indoor skate park in Blackpool. Here the participants had the chance to show off their skills on rails, four halfpipes including the 3’6″ micro mini spine and one of the UK’s largest vert ramp standing a mighty 13’3″, a pool with real concrete coping and the only wooden indoor fullpipe in the UK.
Paul Makinson education & Awareness Officer said "Due to requests from the group that went to Skate Park UK (see article below) we decided to give the participants an extra two hours skating time. All had a great time and thoroughly enjoyed the day"
Read some of the quotes below to highlight how the young people enjoyed the activity:-
“The Trip to Ramp City was really amazing and we had a great time. I really do hope we get to come more often. I think I have learned loads of new stuff”
-Richard Radatsz (15) Fox Street Youth Centre.
“Our trip to Ramp City was terrific I learned loads.”
-Lewis Balshaw (17) Fox Street Youth Centre.
“The trip to Ramp City was awesome we all had a great time. I have learnt lots of new things. We taught Paul how to skate he was pretty good for his first time.”
-Adam Classick (13) Fox Street Youth Centre.
For session times @ Get Off the Bench please click here
Chill Factore
A group of 15 young people from the Get Off The Bench Project visited Chill Factore. The majority of the group had not skied before. The group were booked on to a taster session which took part on the beginner slope. This proved to be an ideal starting point for the group. The youngsters where split into 2 smaller groups and lead through the basics of Skiing.
The session was lead by Barbara who is one of Chill Factore's fully trained staff, she really tested the young people allowing them to overcome any fears they had. As the session went on the young people gained in confidence and took the falls as part of the learning curve, quickly picking themselves up and trying again.
As the session drew to a close all the young people could happily look after themselves on the slope getting from top to bottom and stopping safely. All of the young people enjoyed the experience however they all wanted longer on the slopes.
The Get Off The Bench project will have its annual Christmas shut down from 17th December until January the 4th, where we will then begin another exciting year of activities at the various youth centres within West Bolton.
Get Off The Bench Visit
The Get Off The Bench project recently visited the Aerial Extreme high rope course at Knowsley Safari Park. The activity was organised to allow the young people to experience activities outside of their comfort zones and attempt and test their ability levels to the max.
The course consists of three different levels and all of the young people managed at least the first level. Half of the group completed the leap of faith where the young people had to endure a 15 meter drop
All the young people felt a satisfaction and achievement with lots of positive comments on the way back to Bolton.
Next up for the adventurous youngsters from the project is a trip to the Chill Factor at Trafford Park
Skate Park Trip
During the summer holidays the GOTB project, in conjunction with Youth Services arranged trips for the young adults who attended their sessions. These included ice-skating, watching BWFC play pre season friendlies and trips to skate parks.
The trip to Stockport Skate Park UK was a huge hit with the young adults as many overcame their fear of heights to tackle the various ramps and rails including a 15ft half pipe.
Several from the group were experienced skaters and BMX riders but have never had the transport or opportunity to visit such locations.
“I went to Stockport to try out the skate park. Everyone from the different centres managed to take part and they all really enjoyed themselves. I hope we can go again.” Max 16.
For centre venues and times click here