ABOUT THE BOYS’ BRIGADE

Text Box: 84^th Belfast Boys’ Brigade

The Boys' Brigade care for and challenge young people for life through a programme of informal education underpinned by the Christian faith.

This will be achieved by:

providing opportunities for leadership, decision making and skills training;

empowering boys and young people by involving them in decision making at all levels of the organisation and giving responsibility appropriate to their age and aptitude;

raising awareness of boys and young people to the needs of others (especially other young people) locally, nationally and globally and encouraging them to engage in activities and projects in which they can make a difference;

being sensitive to the needs and aspirations of boys and young people of varying backgrounds, differing abilities and stages of development and providing appropriate support, advice and guidance;

ensuring the safety of boys and young people through the implementation of suitable procedures for the selection, training and supervision of leaders;

equipping leaders through the provision of high quality training and resources;

providing a network of professional staff to support voluntary leaders; and

creating opportunities to develop partnerships with other appropriate organisations and agencies.

delivering Christian teaching in partnership with the church in which the company is based and encouraging the development of a personal Christian faith;

The Boys' Brigade has been around for more than 120 years (founded in 1883) and is part of the boyhood experience of many adults. We resist the temptation to live in the past because our function is to serve today's young people.

Our Founder, Sir William Alexander Smith, included in our Object "The Promotion of habits of Obedience, Reverence, Discipline, Self-Respect and all that tends towards a true Christian manliness" and that has not been changed.

What has changed is how we go about promoting that object. We recognise that the influences surrounding our young people are not always helpful and that too many lose control at great cost to themselves, their families and the community. The answer is to catch the energy and enthusiasm of youth and to channel it purposefully.

·         The Boys' Brigade develops a boy's awareness of his own community and creates opportunities for service.

·         The Boys' Brigade develops latent leadership qualities so that boys become contributors to the life of their community - not just takers.

·         The Boys' Brigade encourages boys to get involved in their Company, their Church and the community, and this involvement means taking responsibility for what happens.

·         The Boys' Brigade does not confine itself to well motivated and prosperous young people. It offers support and interest to the less fortunate and recognises the value of adult interest as young people develop.

·         The Boys' Brigade is staffed by unpaid officers with only a small core of full time staff. The officers give of their time to provide the activities within our local unit - the Company, which itself is part of the local Church.

Each company is split into a number of sections. –

·         Anchor Boys - for Boys aged 4 (P1) - 8 years

Junior Section - for Boys aged 8 - 11 years

Company Section - for Boys aged 11 - 18 years

The Anchor Boys are for boys ages 4 (P1) to 8 years of age.

·         This is the start of fun and friendships, the start of learning to play together and indeed for many, the start of their time in The Boys' Brigade.

·         The programme in the Anchor Boys offers them so much. A time packed with games and songs, crafts and stories expressly designed for their age.

·         But there is more than they realise. They will find more because Anchor Boys offer many the first chance to work together, to co-operate in a joint activity, to work (or play) as a team.

·         Have fun and begin to learn some important life skills.

The Junior Section is for boys aged 8 to 11 years of age.

·         The eight year old is an established individual, looking to try new adventures and activities. He is usually one of a group of friends, although many still like to explore some interests on their own.

·         The Junior Section offers a lot of support and encouragement. The programme is a full and varied one, typically lasting one and a half hours with a few if any individual activities lasting more than ten minutes.

·         There is certainly plenty of variety and little chance of becoming bored! Lots of Physical activities, music, crafts, games and competitions usually undertaken in groups rather than on an individual level to avoid exposing any lack of skill in an individual.

·         The young boy has a world to discover, and early concentration on one small aspect can mean that much is missed in life. This is the time for a balanced all round programme - which includes spiritual and social input, as well as physical and adventure activities.

·         Generally our staffing ratio is about one adult to every six boys - so there is opportunity for someone to chat and develop ideas with the quieter lad.

The Company Section is for boys aged 11 to 18 years of age.

·         Boys in their early teens are usually looking to define themselves as individuals - and this in a world that often tries to force them into a mould. For many this is a key age where habits and lifestyles are formed; these can be ones that are socially acceptable or those that can lead to major problems in later life.

·         Early teen years are difficult. How can you be an individual with your own interests, likes and personality while keeping up in today's ever changing fashions and retaining an identity with the group? It is a conflict which often leads to the confusions associated with adolescence.

·         Essentially, it is the job of officers and staff working in this section to give boys a secure base, and to recognise them as valuable individuals. This is something that they may not get elsewhere in family, school or society.

·         The Company Section allows individuals to take part in the activities and the decisions. A chance to make ones own point, a chance also to remain one of a group. A chance to build friendships, a chance to make mistakes that will not be thrown back at them, where skilled staff support can present challenges fitted to the individual. Successfully achieving one challenge is great practice for the next.

·         Brigade awards provide incentive and ensure progression at a rate suitable to age and growing physical strength; there are leadership opportunities to release abundant energies in purposeful ways.

·         The late teens are a time when so many 'drop out'. They will leave other organisations, their church group or club. This can be for many reasons - peer group pressures, a desire to 'be their own man' or even a feeling that activities are no longer acceptable for a person of their age.

·         Equally, it is a time when so many new experiences have to be faced, college or work, or indeed being out of work.

·         Relationships with parents change, relationships with girls start or stop. This is a time when the availability of a listening ear at a time of their own choosing is possibly their most important need. Where in today's bustling world can this be found?

·         He is a young adult.

Where can he be given responsibility?

Where can challenges be offered?

Where can he achieve recognition?

The BB?????!!!