Purpose
The purpose of the Community Challenge is to develop learners’ skills, whilst encouraging learners to identify, develop and participate in opportunities that will benefit the local community. During the Community Challenge learners will explicitly develop skills of Planning and Organisation and Personal Effectiveness and apply them in an appropriate manner.
Introduction
What is the local community?
What skills will learners be able to develop and use?
What does this Challenge involve?
Today’s learners need to be aware of the challenges and opportunities they may meet on a personal level in their local community: school, the local area, the nearest village, town or city. Learners will focus on real-life concerns and needs through activities which aim to make a difference in the community. The Community Challenge should provide experiences that help young people understand what it means to be an active citizen. The challenge should enable them to develop as effective and responsible members of their local community.
In completing the Community Challenge learners will be able to recognise the contributions they can make towards improving the community in which they live and the benefits this will have for themselves, for others and for the environment. Where appropriate, learners will be able to demonstrate independence, responsibility and an ability to work well with others. Learners will have an opportunity to develop an understanding of how carrying out a community activity is beneficial to themselves. The activity will help to promote a sense of self-worth, self-esteem and self-confidence, along with the development of individual and/or team working skills.
The Community Challenge will provide learners with the opportunity to select an activity from one of the following community themes:
- Social/welfare
- Neighbourhood enhancement
- Coaching
Learners will plan and organise the activity either as an individual or in a team (consisting of 3-6 members). 10 hours must then be spent directly carrying out the activity with or in the local community. On completion of the Challenge the learner must carry out a reflection of their personal effectiveness.
Evidence for Assessment
Each learner must provide a Personal Digital Record.
The supporting evidence in the Personal Digital Record must include a Skills Audit, Plan, and Personal Reflection and Confirmation Statement.
Skills Audit
The purpose of the Skills Audit is to help individual learners to identify, plan, develop and improve the personal skills needed to carry out the Community Challenge successfully.
The Skills Audit must include evidence of the:
- identification of current personal and/or team-working skills relevant to the Challenge;
- identification of any additional personal and/or team-working skills likely to be needed;
- plan for developing and improving relevant skills.
Plan The Plan must include evidence of:
- Aims and objectives
- Targets
- Timescales
- Resources
- Individual and/or team responsibilities
- Opportunities and risks
Confirmation Statement
The WJEC Community Challenge Confirmation Statement must be completed by a responsible person and provide validation of the learner having completing 10 hours of active and purposeful participation.
Personal Reflection
The Personal Reflection including drawing on feedback received, must cover:
- personal role/contribution when planning and carrying out the challenge;
- analysis of the development and application of personal and teamwork skills.