We’ve put together some ideas of things we think might be helpful to you whilst you’re on our programme and beyond. There are suggestions for things you can do, ideas for keeping active, and links to other activities or projects you can get involved in. There’s also some information about who you can talk to if you’re worried, and suggestions for parents and carers as well. If you have any ideas of things we can add please just let us know.

At the Youth Adventure Trust we’re all about taking on challenges and resilience building. So why not try something new, use your time for something you’ve always wanted to do or find new ways to enjoy the things you like.

If you’re coming to the end of your time with us and you’re wondering what else you can get involved in, visit the What’s Next page. Here you’ll find information about activities, volunteering, career ideas, financial support and more.

If there’s anything we can help you with or you need someone to talk to please get in touch with the YAT team.

  • Get Active
    • England Football has lots of information about getting involved with football for all ages and abilities.
    • GetOutside Lots of ideas and links from outdoor organisations on how to get connected with the outdoors and engaged with our natural environments whilst keeping safe.
    • BarBend aim to provide the most informed content around fitness and strength training. From improving posture to building muscle, they have loads of blogs and articles to help you exercise well at home here.
    • Joe Wicks lots of workout videos from Joe Wicks the Body Coach.
    • Oti Mabuse Strictly Come Dancing star Oti Mabuse hosted lots of dance classes over
      lockdown. There all still available on her YouTube channel.
    • Yoga With Adriene Hours of indoor Yoga sessions to help you keep fit and relaxed indoors.

    Workouts and Apps

  • Be Creative
    • Gardening is good for the planet, our mental health, and a great fun skill to learn. Checkout the Royal Horticultural Society ideas on how to get started.
    • National Shelf Service, is a daily YouTube broadcast featuring eBook recommendations from professional librarians. Focusing on helping children and families discover new, diverse reading experiences.
    • Arts in Wiltshire blog Lots of ideas to help you take part in, enjoy and experience creative activities across Wiltshire and at home.
    • KAPOW! The marvellous Cartoon Museum has produced free resources showing people how to draw their own comic stories, create caricatures and more.
    • Fender Play is a programme of free guitar lessons being offered by Fender, the worlds most famous guitar company. If there is a guitar in the house why not start learning.
    • Paper aeroplane competition Compare different designs and see how well they fly and land.
    • Free Drawing Lessons Art For Kids Hub is a YouTube channel with lots of great drawing videos that teach as you draw along with them.
    • Free Drawing Lessons from famous children’s author, Mo Willems, the famous childrens author.
      lessons in lockdown. Why not go back and check them out.
    • Origami Jumping Frog. Make a jumping frog in this video which teaches you as you watch this video. There are loads of origami videos on YouTube, from ninja stars to speedboats. Why not give some of them a go.
  • Learn Something New
    • The Oak National Academy have lots of brilliant resources to learn from. You can search their Online Lessons by key stage and so much more.
    • The National Archive allows you to travel through time. Just pick a time period and start exploring.
    • Quizzes and games to explore the night sky from The Observatory Science Centre.
    • BBC Bitesize has lots of learning ideas and lessons to build your knowledge and skills. Just enter your year-group to get started.
    • TED-Ed has tons of amazing, thought-provoking, inspiring videos of short presentations by knowledgeable and fascinating people. TED-Ed works with expert educators and TED speakers throughout the world to create and share high-quality, interactive, video-based lessons on a daily basis, for free.
    • 75 Virtual Museum Tours The world’s most popular museums are now just a click away thanks to incredible free virtual tours.
    • Steve Backshall The Nature presenter has been giving virtual talks about wildlife, biology, conservation, geography and exploration. Head to Steve Backshall YouTube channel for more information.
    • Myleene Klass Was providing free music lessons for families online every week during lockdown. They are all still available. It is an introduction to music in a simple, entertaining way. You don’t need your own instrument to be able to participate, there are interactive elements with items from around the house. 
    • Watch virtual cooking lessons from famous chefs Loads of famous chefs are offering free cooking lessons online. Just search a famous chef’s name. Jamie Oliver is always great.
    • Former Blue Peter presenter Konnie Huq has a YouTube channel, containing lots of science and other interesting videos.
    • Gardening and Nature with Maddie and Greg Served up lessons on the great outdoors indoors over lockdown. Lots of interesting Nature based videos and ideas for you to try at home, delving into everything from daffodil Dissection to how to make a bird feeder.
    • National Geographic offers lots of activities and interactive material for young people to get involved with. Check them out.
  • More Ideas
    • How about finding north using spaghetti? Or planning your dream adventure? These and loads more Adventure at home ideas can be found at BeVenturesome.
    • The Wilderness Foundation UK have put together lots of activities to keep you focussed, fit and entertained while looking after your mental health.
    • RSPB Wild Challenge. Earn awards while helping nature in your local area.
    • Maketime2play have lots of ideas of things to do. You can search by age range and whether you want something physical, creative, and loads of other options. Maybe even find something to do with younger siblings.
    • BBC bitesize have put together a 14 day Sort-Your-Life-Out Challenge here.
    • Or perhaps a 7-days-of-kindness challenge sounds good?
    • The Making of Harry Potter. Try your hand at filmmaking from your front room, test your Harry Potter knowledge and learn how the magic was brought to life on screen.
    • You could make your own slime, find out how here.
    • FilmedOnStage offered free musicals and plays to stream during the Coronavirus outbreak. They are still available and the page is updated daily.
    • Dance Performances Sadler’s Wells presents a programme of full-length dance performances and workshops online, to keep you entertained and connected through dance, wherever you are in the world.
    • Many galleries and museums offer online access to their exhibitions and archives such as Wessex Archaeology and The National Gallery.
    • Detroit Symphony Orchestra The orchestra can come to you in your homes with free access to DSO Replay, a service letting you watch past performances.
    • Royal Opera House Have created a schedule of free broadcasts and live content that audiences can access for free at anytime, bringing both ballet and opera to every home and every device.
    • Take a tour of somewhere amazing in the world using Google Street View. Visit London, New York, Hollywood or Disneyland! Head to Google Earth. 
    • You can see many of the Wonders of the World without having to leave the house. A virtual 360 degree tour of the Great Wall of China can be found online, while Google Arts & Culture has views from the top of the Eiffel Tower to the Taj Mahal in India. Take a tour of Lapland via YouTube or explore stunning National Parks across America.
    • ChatterPack.net Has lots of ideas to ‘bust the boredom’ including links to language courses, computer programming games and great ideas you can use to help nature in your garden.
    • Many zoos and aquariums are livestreaming or offering virtual tours so you can enjoy the animals. Some of the best are listed below:

    Explore.org

    Monterey Bay Aquarium

    San Diego Zoo

    Zoo Atlanta

    Zoos Victoria

    Shedd Aquarium

    Georgia Aquarium

    • For relaxation and help if you’re feeling anxious download the Calm app for free guided meditation sessions.
  • Local Information
    • Youth Action Wiltshire: Information for Young Carers.
    • Splash: Free activities available in school and summer holidays.
    • Wiltshire Clubs Information: Browse through the wide selection of leisure activities available in Wiltshire.
    • Wiltshire Youth Council: have your say on decisions that are made in your area. Youth councillors will be helping to allocate money to projects that are important to them and their peers. They will also have the chance to inspect council services, ensuring that these represent young people’s best interests. For age 11-17.
    • Greatwood Charity work with retired and rescued former race horses and offer a wide range of educational programmes and events to get involved with.
  • If You’re Worried

    Wellbeing Support

    • Top apps to help with stress and managing wellbeing challenges:
      • Tellmi – A platform for young people to share mental health challenges anonymously and receive community based support from peers. All group chats are moderated and safe, and professionals are on hand to provide extra support if needed.
      • Stem4 – A selection of free apps created by mental health professionals to support young people with managing different mental health challenges.
      • Kooth – Free, safe and anonymous online support for young people.
      • Ask Sam – NSPCC service where you can ask a question about things you’re worrying about. There are regular posts and a searchable archive.
    • Young Minds offers advice and guidance to young people and parents on mental health challenges. Offering tips for how to cope, and offers further resources for further support.
    • Young Somerset – As well as lots of interesting things to get involved in, here you’ll find information about wellbeing support.
    • On Your Mind – A wellbeing service available for up to 18 year-olds in Wiltshire. Families and young people can call this service for mental health support, advice and information. The services also arranges therapeutic sessions, counselling, group sessions and other positive activities in the community.
    • A list of 14 support services promoted by the NHS that can help if you are feeling worried.

    Bullying and Online Safety Support

    • Familylives.org.uk – This website offers resources and guidance for both parents and children of all ages. Looks at many different types of bullying including cyberbullying.
    • Kidscape – Offers free 90-minute workshop for young people aged 9-16 who are dealing with a bullying situation or have experienced bullying. They provide young people with a range of tools to help manage bullying situations. They also provide a supporting online session for parents and carers, which will take place shortly after the young people’s workshop.
    • Childline – Offers online advice and guidance on bullying and building confidence and self-esteem.
    • CEOP offer advice on safer internet use for 11-18 year olds. From safer socialising to exploring your identity, find safe ways to do so online.

    Self Care Strategies

    • The 10 Days of Happiness Challenge is run by Action for Happiness and is a great way to help yourself feel better.
    • Self help guides – A collection of downloadable, self-help guides, endorsed by mental health professionals. The guides include advice on Mindfulness, Anxiety, Stress, Self-esteem, Self-harm, Resilience and lots more.
    • Strategies developed by other young people – A selection of self-care strategies that have been developed by young people to help manage their own wellbeing. Everything from challenging negative thoughts to using yoga and exercise.
    • Headspace – An app that trains your mind for a healthier, happier life by reducing daily anxieties and stresses.
    • Calm – An app that offers guided meditations and sleep stories to ease stress and improve sleep.
    • Remember talking positively will always help you feel calmer and happier

    POSITIVE SELF-TALK POSTER for Your Classroom or Counseling Office: Free Decor!

    • We’ve created a handy friendship flyer which gives tips on making new friends, keeping friendships going and patching things up, how to have good quality conversations and recognising signs of unhealthy friendships. You can download the flyer here, or ask your Programme or Mentoring Manager for a printed copy.
    • You can also contact the YAT team if you need someone to talk to about any worries.
  • Advice for Parents and Carers
    • Teen Mental Health guide for parents A great resource for parents to better understand teen mental health challenges covering areas such as anxiety around exams, cyberbullying and more.
    • The NSPCC Net Aware guide is an excellent tool to check how safe all those apps, games, and social media sites are for your young person. Simply type in the name of the app or search their extensive list of popular apps.
    • The Child Mind Institute have written an article giving advice on how to support teenagers and young people with a wide range of issues and concerns.
    • The NSPCC has a hub of information for parents and carers including things like mental health, online safety, talking about difficult subjects and parenting advice.
    • Support for parents helping children get more active from UK Coaching.
    • Emerging Minds aims to reduce the prevalence of mental health problems experienced by children and young people. The site has resources, research, news and events.
    • Mental Health UK gives expert tips on how to manage your mental health, with regularly updated information and support.
    • Young Minds offers advice and guidance to parents about supporting young people with managing mental health challenges. Offering tips for how to cope with this and offers outside resources for further support.
    • Here’s a useful resource for parents created by stem4org. It contains conversation starters, tips on communication, how to support with a variety of worries or concerns and some useful digital resources such as apps and websites.
    • Wiltshire Tree House offers bereavement support for children and young people.