Foyer Connect: peer learning and practical Advantaged Thinking approaches

This month we held the first of our brand-new Foyer Connect events – one in Sheffield and one in London. We brought together 26 members of staff, all working in direct delivery roles with young people, from 13 Foyers around the country to build new connections, learn from each others’ practice and share practical tools, ideas and approaches to support their work.

We started with some speedy connecting, giving each person three minutes to find out something interesting about the person sitting opposite them. In just 20 minutes, that’s six new connections made – talk about efficient!

Throughout the day, we shared helpful tools including our own Employability Escape Room toolkit and resources from around the sector. Attendees also worked together to create session plans for engaging learning activities to bring back to their services, which ranged from wilderness walks to performing arts clubs.

There were opportunities for peer learning through discussion groups focused on key topics suggested through our member survey – including engaging young people, young people’s mental health and connecting with the community.

Finally, we explored practical approaches to embedding Advantaged Thinking in everyday work using our Advantaged Thinking Action Packs as a tool. We tried a few different ways to use them, including reflective practice, and suggested ways to embed the principles in work with both colleagues and young people.

Foyer Connect is part of the Foyer Federation’s drive to better meet the needs and aspirations of staff working in direct delivery roles. It was fantastic to see so many new faces at these events, as well as people we’ve gotten to know over many years. We look forward to the next one!