The National Youth Agency: My Place

In this series we look at a range of generic and specialist youth facilities to encourage ambition and vision in support of Myplace bids, linking each to one of the programme's 10 key principles.

The Mill Adventure Base, Nottinghamshire Youth Service

Key principle: Young people's outcomes - impacting on young people's lives, particularly those living within deprived communities and those who would not otherwise participate in positive activities.

The Mill offers a range of water- and land-based activities as one of three adventure bases across the county. Redevelopment has resulted in a purpose-built facility providing more activity, storage and office space, new adventurous activities equipment, rooms for working with groups of young people and upgraded toilet and shower facilities. All activities have been designed to be accessible to disabled young people, for instance through adapting boats or incorporating a tilt into the climbing wall. The Mill offers specialist alternative education programmes that combine adventurous activities with life skill modules, such as crime awareness, anger management, healthy eating, substance misuse and sexual health. With staff support, students are expected to set and work towards individual targets in terms of achievement, behaviour and attitude. There are specific programmes for young people at risk of exclusion and young people who are struggling to make progress at school, as well as an intensive support programme. There is also a youth club for individual young people aged 11 to 19 living locally.