OUTREACH IN THE ACF

Lt Colin Charters (Outreach Projects Officer)

The project was set up to help socially and educationally disadvantaged young people gain self-esteem and broaden their perspective on their own potential. The Army Cadet Force motto is Inspire to Achieve. That is what the Outreach Project seeks to do, providing young people with a huge dose of positive activity outside the normal environment and their normal comfort zone. It provides challenging, adventurous, fun activities that build character and self-belief.

 "Programmes like Outreach are at the heart of the MoD's Youth Policy and of the wider Government commitment to the development of young people. We don't recruit directly from our Cadet forces, although many do choose a life in the Armed Forces. But many more take the skills and experience they have gained into adult life as good citizens".

Last year, 31 Outreach projects were delivered by 21 ACF counties, 92% of participants subject to police warning did not reoffend within 9 months of completing the project. Meanwhile, 77 percent of participants have shown improved behaviour and 64 percent of low achievers showed progression in achievement.