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Jack Petchy Achievers Network Programme

by Harry Thomas

My name is Harry Thomas and I was recently nominated for the Jack Petchey Achievers Network Programme. The programme was limited to 30 previous achievement award winners, Jack Petchey Foundation Speak out challenge finalists and Step Into Dance Finalists who wish to become young Leaders.

The club put my name forward and I had to complete an application to be accepted. I was thrilled to be selected and on 21 September 2019, I went to a selection day which was the first part of the course. This was where all the young people, who, like myself, had been nominated were invited for an orientation session and were given the opportunity to withdraw at the end.

We were told that as part of the programme, we would receive training and mentoring which would help us to:

  • Develop a positive mind-set
  • Build your self-esteem
  • Develop goal setting techniques
  • Learn planning and organisational skills
  • Find ways to overcome challenges & develop solutions
  • Become a catalyst for change in your community

I remember I was fairly nervous on my first day because I did not know anyone there. However, as the day went on, I realised that this was the same for everyone else. It was nice to be able to talk to other attendees while waiting to go in. This helped me relax and after that I did not feel under as much pressure.

Our sessions lasted 6 hours and we were engaged in team building activities which helped with the overall sense of camaraderie. At the end of day one I felt that I had made many new friends and I was pleased with my performance and it was positive to work with other people.

Two weeks after this I attended a residential training weekend. The purpose of this weekend was to really bond with other young people. We learnt a lot about what sort of people we could and should become, different types of behaviour and many life skills.

Next I will have to dedicate 10-15 hours a month of voluntary work on a project of my choice and I will have to be in contact with my mentor regularly.

This will be followed by five compulsory training days between November and September 2020 and I am looking forward to these.

Given the chance, I would recommend anyone to take advantage of this opportunity.