WHAT DOES THE FOUNDATION DO?
During the past 24 years, the March Foundation has been developing and running unique and motivating projects designed to uncover the true potential of vulnerable and, in some cases, abused inner-city children. Most of these projects are run in conjunction with selected inner-city Mainstream Schools - those with the higher numbers of children who need extra support.
Our projects incorporated the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme and were directed and led by suitably qualified Service and ex-Service personnel; most of whom were recruited through the Reserve Forces Cadets Association. They were the Foundation's only paid staff.
THE CURRENT CRISIS
The latest figures show that abused and vulnerable inner-city children are in an increasingly desperate situation. Mainstream Schools are now having to cope with a far higher proportion of children suffering from domestic abuse, in addition to those with learning difficulties, most of whom should rightly be attending a Special School. Accordingly, we are now taking a fresh look at how we can adapt our projects in line with this dramatic new challenge facing these schools.
WHAT WILL THIS FRESH LOOK INVOLVE?
We are currently testing and developing our new March Foundation Pathway to Success. This will consist of projects, activities and assignments as we guide and work with these children from Year 9 up to the time they find suitable and meaningful employment.
Our five-year Pathway will consist of three phases: -
• DISCOVERY
- We uncover their interests, strengths, talents and aptitudes, as they participate in our various residential, group and one-to-one projects.
• EMPATHY
- We then discuss these amazing positives as we start to look at the enormous fun and opportunities that these could create and that they could enjoy in their lives and careers.
• EMPLOYMENT
- The easy part of this whole operation is where we match the above findings to a worthwhile career and make the necessary contacts to achieve this.
HOW WILL THIS BE FUNDED?
We are taking a totally different approach to how we fund this exciting new Pathway to Success.
We are already starting to operate and develop three independent businesses which will help to ensure that our Trustees, Officers and Volunteers will not have to become involved in raising money for the March Foundation.
On that subject, we will be recruiting suitably qualified and / or experienced volunteers to help our students as we develop and run this exciting March Foundation Pathway to Success.
