ARROWS Residential Weekend 19th-20th October
On the 19th-20th of October, the research team and the ARROWS took part in a residential weekend. Overall, the residential program received very positive feedback, with the ARROWS enjoying the activities and learning new skills. Most ARROWS perceived further personal benefits of the residential, including feeling less alone and being able to resonate with each other. There were some suggestions to improve the residential in future.
Timetable
On Saturday, the ARROWS travelled to Kingswood and arrived around noon. After a welcome lunch, they settled in and participated in introductions and a residential brief. They then engaged in a clothesline activity, followed by archery. Dinner was served and later, the ARROWS provided feedback on the clothesline activity. The evening ended with an optional night walk, chatting, or playing board games.
On Sunday, the ARROWS started the day with breakfast. They worked on group tasks like blogging, creating a website, and making a lay summary or animation. Later, they enjoyed bushcraft activities, including fire lighting and orienteering . The weekend concluded with lunch, a debrief, and the awarding of certificates before they travelled home at 2pm.
What was most enjoyed
The ARROWS most enjoyed team-building activities, archery, and meeting new people, including other young people and families. They appreciated the socialisation opportunities, feeling accepted, and engaging in various activities like football, fire-building, and classroom exercises.
What was least enjoyed
Most negative feedback related to factors outside of the ENHANCE team’s control, including better weather and more comfortable beds. The ARROWS least enjoyed activities in the rain, bushcraft activities, and outdoor events, particularly due to the weather. They also mentioned discomfort with the beds, lack of access to hot drinks, and the emotional challenges of the program.
Suggestions for improvements
The ARROWS suggested several improvements for the residential program. These included more comfortable beds, access to hot drinks throughout the day and organising the event in the summer to increase the chances of better weather. They also recommended incorporating art activities, scheduling team-building exercises earlier, and breaking down emotional sessions with more upbeat activities to enhance bonding and comfort.
What they learned
The ARROWS learned a variety of skills and gained valuable insights during the residential program. They learned how to start a fire, even in challenging conditions like rain, and tried archery for the first time. They also developed teamwork skills through activities such as building and lighting a fire, using a map, and participating in exercises like jigsaw puzzles and the washing line activity. Additionally, the ARROWS gained a deeper understanding of others’ life experiences, learned to express their feelings through videos, and appreciated the importance of not judging a book by its cover. They also discovered that they were not alone in their journeys, particularly in relation to weight loss services and other challenges faced by their peers.
Satisfaction and thoughts on participation
All the ARROWS said they would recommend the residential program to others, highlighting its fun, interesting, and educational nature. They appreciated the friendly staff, engaging activities, and the opportunities for socialisation, bonding, and personal growth:
“We had such a lovely time it’s been a while since [name] felt normal and we didn't stress about what she eats, does etc. We are very proud to be part of the study and as I mentioned I now have hope that these kids will not be stereotypically talked about. It was truly a wonderful experience I’ll treasure forever. Thanks again for the generosity, caring words and actions from all the team... ARROWS rock” (Parent in ARROWS)
Overall, the ARROWS were very satisfied with the residential, with most ranking their satisfaction as an eight-out-of-ten. In terms of their participation, most ARROWS ranked ENHANCE a five-out-of-eight on Roger Harts Ladder of young people's participation, meaning they feel the project is adult led, but with shared decision making with young people.
You can download an infographic summary of the weekend by clicking here.
You can watch a video about the weekend by clicking here.