Programme aims to turn boys around

Youth Services staff at the Police National Headquarters recently hosted nine boys and three tutors visiting Wellington as part of the Hawkes Bay-based ‘U-Turn’ programme.

The 15-week programme is for youth aged 15-16-years’-old who are current clients of the youth justice process, or at risk of offending.

Designed and delivered by Henare O’Keefe, Howie Clare, and Rory McCallum, U-Turn aims to instill in participants a sense of pride and belonging.

Howie says many of the boys on the programme haven’t been exposed to positive role models in their lives. “U-Turn aims to expose them to successful members of their local community to show them where everyone fits in society and to show them that success is achievable for them.”

The programme covers personal health and fitness, adventure-based learning, self management and life skills, and work and study skills.

Ex-British Special Forces Rory McCallum takes the boys for the physical side of the course. Rory says most of the boys haven’t had much physical training and find it quite difficult at first.

“Some of it pushes the boys to the limit – physically and mentally – but it teaches them about being part of a team where they all support each other.”

U-Turn participant 17-year-old Raymond says discovering his strengths has been the best part of the programme. “Finding out my limits has been good too.”

“We do physical training, hikes as well. It was all new, I’d never done anything like it before.

“I was happy to do the course, it was that or lock-up. They’re [the tutors] all here for you.”

Raymond says he will look for a job when he finishes the programme and is keen to secure a panel-beating apprenticeship in the future.

Another participant, Ben, says, “the best thing has been the physical stuff and the mātua.”

U-Turn is funded by Child, Youth and Family. Local businesses also donate time and resources.