VICTA: Empowerment – Unlocking potential & feeding ambition

Youth Programme 2023

With the support of the Vinchel Foundation, VICTA delivered a youth programme for students aged 14 to 17 with a vision impairment.

Together we delivered a series of activities, residential camps and expeditions that focused on preparing students for academic and workplace readiness by strengthening social and academic confidence through teamwork and collaboration, fostering positive self-evaluation and self-advocacy, and engendering strong communication skills, resilience, and a good work ethic. Throughout the year of our partnership, students aged 14-17 had the opportunity to receive up to 3 nationally recognised award schemes. We want them rather than their disability to stand out.

Within our original proposal we had an ambition to engage with 132 young people, it is pleasing to note that we exceeded this, directly supporting 137 vision impaired young people aged 14-17. We supported young people across 18 in-person and online activities, delivering day and multi-day residentials which provided them opportunities to build confidence and make connections without family members present. Vitally, our activities develop high-level thinking, communication, selfmanagement and leadership skills in a safe peer-to-peer environment.

“I had a fun week, there’s lots of great people to be around, especially if it’s your first time away from home. It was a brilliant boost for my independence and I learned how to age a tree!”

The VICTA Summer Camp is the highlight of the Youth Programme. It is an 8-day residential which this year supported 25 vision impaired young people. The camp provided these young people with an opportunity to take part in adrenaline inducing and problem-solving outdoor activities such as raft-building and climbing. They were able to interact with and investigate the natural world and earn the John Muir Award. The John Muir Award is an environmental award scheme focused on wild places. It is inclusive, accessible and non-competitive and encourages awareness and responsibility for the natural environment through a structured yet adaptable scheme, in a spirit of fun, adventure and exploration. We have a range of students from different background and educational settings join our Summer Camp, the majority of whom attend express a desire to expand their social network and challenge themselves.

Social impact

VICTA’s impact model applies recognised methods and values from tools such as Welbeck Edinburgh Mental Well Being Score and The UK Social Value Bank, HACT calculator, focussing on individual wellbeing as a determinant for social impact. The HACT calculator measures our social and environmental impact through improvements to wellbeing and savings made to the state. For every £1 the Vinchel Foundation invested into VICTA’s Youth Programme, we evidenced social return of £11.20, which equates to £464,685 of social impact in 2023.

“I am able to adapt to new experiences, look after myself.”

Insights from 2023 Youth Programme across 18 daytrips, workshops, residentials and competitions

80% reported an improved ability to empathise and work with others.
60% reported an improved ability to negotiate.
80% reported improved decision making and problem-solving skills.
80% reported feeling more resilient.
70% reported improved leadership skills.
80% reported an increase in personal motivation to achieve their goals.
98% felt they had made new friends.

Parent feedback:

100% reported witnessing their vision impaired child feeling good about themselves after attending an activity.
90% reported witnessing their vision impaired child having increased confidence.
90% reported witnessing their vision impaired child feeling more positive and optimistic about the future.
80% reported witnessing their vision impaired child have a renewed interest in meeting new people

What’s next for our young people?

100% expressed their aspirations to continue in Education (GCSE, 6th form or college to receive qualifications).
70% expressed their aspirations to enter university.
100% expressed their aspirations to start a career.
100% expressed their aspirations to be a role model for others.
100% expressed their aspirations to develop strong relationships with a variety of people.
70% expressed their aspirations to join a club (sports, theatre, youth).
90% expressed their aspirations to volunteer in the future.

“I feel more independent and more motivated than before I went. My Mum said she has really noticed the difference in me since coming home.”

The power of transition

33% of students within our Pre-Teen 2023 Programme will transition into our Youth Programme in 2024.
35% of young people within our 2023 Youth Programme will transition into our Young Adults Programme in 2024.

As one mother explained:
“There are so few activities or clubs available for my daughter. The availability of so many activities for her to be included in, is the best thing about Summer Camp. She had a wonderful time, it was a huge step outside her comfort zone to attend and the activities challenged her both mentally and physically. The activity day has given her a much-needed boost to her self-esteem and confidence. Many thanks to everybody involved.”