Suggestions for 15 year old boy

mummalove

On another path, have you considered him taking up music - ie. drums, guitar, etc? Private tuition or clubs? Could be a completely new focus for him...and a real thrill at the same time.

claire16c

There must be rowing clubs at the Thames Valley park, there are also various cadet groups about. Skiing at Bracknell that someone suggested is a good idea. I wonder if you can learn ice hockey there too?

joeblack066

It was a LAC that I was referring to earlier. Some of the greatest successes that I have been involved in we're the ones that boosted a variety of their growing emotional turmoils in a positive way- a kind of programme to let them develop various sides of their personalities, if you will. My suggestions would be-
A one off abseil- the challenge, overcoming fear, achievement, second to none!
Join a boxing club- for all the reasons mentioned above!
Get him growing something (other than the obvious lol!) The idea of nurturing something has never crossed some young people's minds, and turning a seed into a seedling then into a plant can be rewarding and revealing for them! I've seen it have amazing effects on young people involved in Youth Offending. Often something 'cool', like chillies, works quite well. He could even get some bricks and mortar and build a little veg garden if he gets into it!
A mix of things, introduced gradually, with no overall pressure, will help him to see areas of his own worth that don't involves tests, schools or social workers.

ymcas

Tall ships youth trust
http://tallships.org/about-us/youth-work/

mountainofdebt

what about army cadets, air cadets or sea cadets?

squirrelchops

jackyann wrote: »

If he is a "looked after child" (sorry - hate that term - sort of implies others aren't looked after!) then there must be a social worker of some kind.
They should have information about local projects and things that are going on. Also, he can still be referred into the Common Assessment
Framework system ( actually, rules vary in different authorities, but most still allow it) where a lot of people with local knowledge can suggest ideas. I would also ask the school.

Sorry to have to correct you but a CAF (Common Assessment Framework) is for young people and children at the tiers pre social work intervention. As is a child looked after it may be that this sort of thing is discussed at his looked after review.

It is terribly hard to bring about change with this age group because of his peer group. If they are all still into cannabis and alcohol it will take a huge amount of motivation and courage for him to leave this. Bear in mind he is already away from his family thus to leave his peer group will be another wrench and one that unfortunately a lot of young people in his position are not going to do.

Anyway looking forward there have been some good suggestions. What about trying to see if there is any part time work he could become involved in - may tire him out if nothing else!!!

krustylouise

Downhill mountain biking. My ex used to be into drugs and then he starte doing downhill and it cleared his mind kept him focused motivated proud of himself and gave him "the best buzz he's Ever felt"

bagpussbear

Caving? mountaineering/bit of scrambling? ghost hunting vigils?!

kingfisherblue

Totally different to other suggestions, but what about flying remote control models? My son is 13 and has joined a RC helicopter club, which is mostly adults. He loves it, and it has given him a chance to do something different. It has also taught him patience, which is something he struggled with before (and still struggles with occasionally, but nowhere near as often now).

Admittedly my son doesn't have the same problems as the lad in the OP, but he does have some problems including depression and low self esteem.

kjmtidea

How about martial arts? 3 of my boys do taekwondo which keeps them fit and busy! They train for 4 1/2 hours a week at the moment and then there are gradings, training days and competitions. It is a disciplined sport and there is a huge amount of respect between the whole team.
I would definitely recommened it.