Ready-to-Go Projects - Employment/Training - SAFE Choices Programme

EMPLOYMENT/TRAINING
SAFE Choices Programme

Summary
Choices is a practical outreach tool for churches. It is a course which helps people on low incomes gain confidence, take control of their lives and make life-changing choices.

Brief Description of organisation
SAFE has been delivering statutory programmes and supporting churches for 15 years. SAFE work with those facing barriers including worklessness, depression and social deprivation. We bring hope and changed perspective, and help people to move forward in tangible ways including mental health, work and flourishing.

Start date of Organisation
1995

No. of churches/ groups supported
7

Brief Description
wanting to change. It can be community (including the depressed, workless, stuck and isolated) youth (16-20, NEET) or specialist support (eg homeless, ex-offenders).
What?: The course (developed from 15 years’ experience) is 2 days for 5 weeks, plus follow up coaching. It empowers and motivates people. It involves group and individual work, fun, shared lunches and is very relational. Its impact has been validated by rigorous university research.
How?: Local facilitators are thoroughly equipped through a 4 stage process. At Stage 1 facilitators watch and experience the programme. Stage 2 is looking at background and theory. Stage 3 involves joint training with an experienced facilitator. Stage 4 is doing sole training but with ongoing support.

Expected Results

Each course will have approximately 8-12 participants. (Churches often do 1-2 courses per year, but there is no limit)
Internal change including increased confidence and selfesteem, improved anxiety and depression, and increased
resilience against adversity
External change including flourishing and enjoying life, and gaining employment
Community impact including targeting the hard to reach and increasing people’s social capital.

Advantages to church

Church members are equipped in a practical way to love and service, engage with needy people, and will be stretched in their faith
Choices is a bridge to the local community through good reputation, as people experience the course, and as other agencies see the results
It is also an entry point for people into the wider church community, as relationships are built and some progress in their spiritual journey
Churches can choose their focus: community youth or specialist, so that what they do fits their priorities and passions.

Services provided by national organisation
SAFE provide resources including a very comprehensive facilitator manual and candidate manuals. The process is clearly mapped out, ensuring quality of provision and ease of use for non-professional facilitators. SAFE equip facilitators as follows:

Stage 1: 10 day course where facilitator watches a course. This can be done on site or visiting another church
Stage 2: 2 day course off the job, often in Southampton
Stage 3: 10 day course jointly led by an experienced facilitator who is sent to your site
Stage 4: on going monitoring (2 days), regular facilitator meetings (2 days) and phone support

Financial cost to church
Stage 1: £6000 for course if delivered on your site, FREE if you visit another site
Stage 2: £200 per person
Stage 3: £3000 for each course, covering facilitator costs
Stage 4: £1000 annually
Cost of Facilitator and Candidate Manuals (£10 each)
These are actual costs, and currently SAFE work in partnership with the church, as they seek to raise the funds to meet these costs.

Non-Financial Requirements for church

Venue for training
Equipment for course including DVDs flip charts projector sound system etc (full list available)
Lunches and refreshments
Volunteers: each course needs 2 facilitators, set up, admin, sometimes additional learner support, post course coaching, and prayer support.

Contact Details
Andy Foreman
Unit 304 Solent Business Centre, 343 Millbrook Road West, Southampton, SO15 0HW
Tel: 023 8070 2222 andrew.foreman@safe.org.uk www.safe.org.uk