Who We Help

The young people on whom we particularly focus may need learning support or be enrolled in alternative education provision. Our programme is particularly suitable for vulnerable young people who are likely to disengage from education, employment or training.

Many of the youngsters who use our educational programmes have failed, or are in danger of failing, in the conventional educational system. But that doesn’t mean that they’re unintelligent, or that they don’t care about becoming productive adults. It simply means that so far, the academic curriculum has failed to engage them, or has been presented to them in ways they find hard to learn in. These are often kids who learn best by doing, not by reading about something. They need opportunities to develop and demonstrate skill in other ways apart from essays and worksheets.

These young people have often become discouraged and disaffected in the mainstream education system. They need structured work which builds success in small steps to motivate them and to help them re-engage. Working towards a nationally accredited award builds self-esteem and a new pride in their achievements.

Since 1995, Chrysalis-Club 2000 has been developing a flexible programme, called "U" Choose, to help these young people achieve the ASDAN Bronze and Silver Challenge Awards. The programme has been extensively used across the 13-19 age range by mainstream and special schools, PRUs, Behaviour Support services, Youth Offending Teams, Traveller Education Units, Looked-After Children Services, and a host of youth projects.

Over the years, we have witnessed thousands of young people gaining in confidence and self-esteem through our programmes. They are often surprised at what they can achieve, once they start building on their strengths rather than focusing on their weaknesses. It’s wonderful to see so many of them developing into valuable citizens, able to make a positive contribution to society.

Some of our success stories

Take Damian, for example (Not his real name). One of the challenges he chose for his “U” Choose programme was to do a work experience placement at a car valeting business. He enjoyed it so much, and worked so well, that when he left school, the car valeting business offered him a job. Now, several years later, he’s the person in charge of all the other kids who come there for their work experience. A “U” Choose challenge helped to steer him towards a successful job.

Or take Stacey (Not her real name). Because of problems at home, she dropped out of school and became very discouraged. Participating in a “U” Choose programme gave her an opportunity to re-engage with education in a low-stress way, and to re-experience success. A challenge based on cooking – her real passion, and main interest – reignited her willingness to learn and led eventually to her studying catering at college.