success stories

"Doing the LinC course gave me confidence in my ability. Prior to the course I did not think I was capable of leading a team and had a tendency to be quiet in groups and let others take the lead. During my time on the LinC I was encouraged to take lead role which enabled me to find out the potential that I had. Since then I have gone from strength to strength in my career due to recognising that I have the motivation, confidence and skills to achieve whatever I set my mind to."

"I first attended Mobex North East via a Basic Expedition Leaders Award course and an Activity Tool Bag course. Once these were finished I started to volunteer, helping with activities and residentials. After volunteering for a year or so and participating in the pilot LinC course I was offered a place on the Rank Foundations GAP scheme, and spent nine months working at Mobex.

Part of the GAP was undertaking a Foundation Studies in Informal and Community Education, ran by YMCA George Williams via distance learning, this course also qualified me as a part time youth worker. I felt that the informal education and the development of the outdoor based activities worked really well together and decided to pursue this as a career.

After finishing the GAP I freelanced for a while before working as a team leader for Radical Services working with looked after young people in crisis. Then an opportunity came up to develop a satellite Mobex project in Northumberland and I was lucky enough to be appointed.

Mobex Northumberland has now been established for seven years and has just received a further three years funding from the Big Lottery and aims to develop into a stand-alone project in the future.

I also studied part time and passed an MA in Youth and Community Work at Durham University, this included the professional qualification, making me a fully qualified youth worker. "

"When I was about 30 I did some canoeing and realised I just loved it and wanted to do more in the outdoors. However at that time all the funding seemed to be for 16-25 year olds. Fortunately for me Mobex offered the opportunity for novices to become volunteers and that is how I first got involved with the outdoors and development training.

As a volunteer I was included in training and encouraged to assist with groups. As my confidence grew I lead parts of sessions and gained qualifications until I was able to take groups out with other volunteers. When Mobex gained more funding I applied for the position of Project Officer and was successful.

Whilst working for Mobex I gained several outdoor qualifications including Canoe Instructor and Mountain Leader (summer), also there was a strong emphasis on 'soft-skills' training and honing of group work and reviewing skills.

Mobex gave me the opportunity to get involved in some fantastic projects most notably the Women's Group which was my 'baby' and gave women the opportunity to get active in the outdoors in a fun friendly way and this had a real impact on building self-confidence in those who came along. One of the other groups I look back on with some pride was the Walker Challenge Group. This was a mixed group based at a mental health hostel with various problems including some physical. We did all sorts of activities, biking in Kielder, canoeing, sledging in the snow, we camped in a cave on Mull but they really excelled themselves when they all managed to complete the challenge of walking on a 4 day trek in the Lakes from Ambleside to Keswick!"

"I have been involved with this [LinC] course since it began, sitting on the original [accreditation] panel and then as a Moderator in Newcastle where the course started. Since the early days the course has evolved to it's present form and is produced in other parts of the country through Mobex. LinC in a slightly different form has also been produced in schools with great success.

LinC has proved to be an ideal route into education and/or training for those who are interested in Youth and Community work and/or Outdoor Education. Participants are able to explore the relevant issues and concerns in a relaxed and encouraging environment. The course helps participants to begin developing the practical tools for engaging and working with the wider community whilst also looking at some of the theory around this area of work.

The LinC Course looks at issues such as Equal Opportunities, Leadership Style, Risk Assessment, Health and Safety, Fundraising, Project Work and Identifying Resources. Students keep a file of their work and have always proved very proud to show these to me as a record of their achievement on the course.

Students have always spoken very highly to me both of the course and their tutor whom they obviously have a relaxed, open and honest relationship with. They are encouraged to be open and honest about themselves and their attitudes and opinions.

On the whole this is an excellent course which gives people the opportunity to explore their personal development and consider career options and opportunities for their future. "