- Group activities underpinned by Royal Navy ethos help build skills for life
- A survey of cadets shows more than nine out of 10 have gained responsibility skills from participation
ACTION
Children from poorer backgrounds are three times less likely to have access to extra-curricular activities than their wealthier peers, according to Social Mobility Commission research.
They could be missing out on opportunities that benefit them long-term - experiences which, building on learning in formal education, promote a sense of belonging, increased confidence and social skills.
Underpinned by the customs and traditions of the Royal Navy, Sea Cadets has traditionally been associated with a more privileged membership profile. However, as part of its youth development aims, the organisation is working to make its nautical-themed training programme more accessible in less advantaged areas.
"What we're doing is attractive and exciting and young people want to engage," says Paul Wilkinson, director of volunteer support and outreach. "We believe we make a difference to young people, so we want everyone to have that opportunity."
Using funding from Youth United Foundation, it set up and expanded junior units for nine- to 12-year-olds in the 25 most deprived areas of the UK, such as Newham in London.
According to Newham Council, two thirds of its children live in households in poverty after housing costs, and 59 per cent of residents have English as a second language.
Three quarters of cadets aged nine to 18 are from disadvantaged areas compared with 43 per cent nationally.
Juniors are offered structured water-based activities at the charity's Royal Docks boating centre. Back on terra firma, there are games and crafts, and classroom-based theoretical work.
"The training that we offer has been completely revamped," says Maria McEvoy, herself a former Sea Cadet in West Ham, who is now the Royal Docks Sea Cadet Unit officer in charge. "It's really fun and easy to engage with. Everything we teach is a game. For example, for learning parts of the ship, we played a game of Simon Says, where they had to run around the unit touching things and saying ‘port' and ‘starboard', or lying down on the floor for ‘deck'.
"I happened to say the word ‘left', and one of them was like ‘it's not left, it's port'."
In addition to offering exciting experiences like kayaking, windsurfing and power-boating, McEvoy says the programme offers children more one-to-one time with trainers than they may receive from teachers in school.
"It's about tailoring your approach to each child, helping them find their own experience," she says, adding: "We're trained to work with young people who are struggling."
Trainers build young people's determination by encouraging an outlook of "I can't do that ‘yet'" when faced with a skill they don't have. "It's about going at your own speed," says McEvoy.
Woven throughout the activities and interactions, are five core values: honesty and integrity; respect; loyalty; self-discipline; and commitment. The organisation hopes young people will readily transfer these values into other areas of their lives.
"What we're really trying to push is self-discipline and self-care," adds McEvoy.
"Young people are taking responsibility for their actions, they're treated like adults and they decide what they want to achieve."
Training also encourages confidence, leadership and teamwork. McEvoy continues: "Getting in and out of kayaks can be tricky so we teach them to tie them up. After they've done it once, they're jumping in and helping each other."
IMPACT
A 2018 survey of Sea Cadets, suggests that 92 per cent strongly or somewhat agree that they get opportunities to take responsibility, with 90 per cent saying they work well as a team, 83 per cent saying they had opportunities to be in charge of groups, and 79 per cent saying they felt the things they learn help them to deal with everyday problems.
McEvoy describes a terrified junior who vowed never to get in the water, preferring dry land, but was offered a less risky ride in a power boat as a stepping stone to a kayak. He has now conquered his fear and has more self-belief.
Another child, who has English as an additional language, barely spoke when he first arrived, but has developed enough confidence to answer questions in front of the group and is generally thriving.
He has shown skill in knot-tying through a friendship bracelet making activity, which is the junior version of seamanship rope work.
"Because he's not treated like an additional needs child he feels he's treated at the same level as the others," says McEvoy.
