Free Time

This section gives you some ideas about the sort of things you could do during your free time.  Whether you are looking for some relaxation or activity, to meet new people, learn new things, take up a hobby or help in the local community – there’s lots to choose from.  Remember some of the things you could do will also look good on your CV too.

Don’t forget to check out the interactive map on this website for loads of local links, information and ideas for your free time.

Sport

Sport won’t just get you fit, it will also boost your social life as it can help you to make new friends.  Give your brain a break from your daily routine through exercise and you’ll come at it fresher the next day.  Check the map on this website or ask at your nearest sports centre or library for a list of your local clubs.

• To find out about the different sports you can do in Surrey, visit www.activesurrey.com
• Check out www.sportslinks.info to find local activities, from archery to football and canoeing to volleyball

Challenging yourself

If you’re up for giving yourself something to aim for, check out the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme:

• Choose from music to mountaineering, sport to serving the public – there are loads of options
• Go it alone or join a group
• Focus your mind and get motivated
• The experience is good and the Award is great for your CV
  
• Contact the Duke of Edinburgh Award on 01932 564800 or www.theaward.org/southeast

Millennium Volunteers

Anyone between 16 and 25 can become a volunteer with Surrey vinvolved, the new national scheme which encourages you to get involved in local issues you care about.  Surrey vinvolved partners with various voluntary projects, finds people placements in the community, supports people throughout their work and accredits existing volunteers.

By becoming an volunteer you can gain experience, confidence and skills that employers value such as working as part of a team, learning to solve problems and developing initiative.  You can be involved in a wide range of work including sports coaching, environmental issues, youth leadership, childcare, art and drama.

Through volunteering you can make a positive difference to your own life and your community, and it’s great for you CV. Please visit www.surreyvinvolved.org or e-mail us at info@surreyvinvolved.org.

If you are aged between 16 and 25 and would like to volunteer or if you are an organisation wanting to involve young people we would love to hear from you. Please contact Surrey vinvolved using the details below. We would love to hear from you!

Surrey vinvolved

Email: info@surreyvinvolved.org

Web: www.surreyvinvolved.org
Phone: 01737 784970

Guildford Office 
01483 303874
Philip.evans@ymcaredhill.com

Woking Office

01483 757160 ext 210
Esther.nash@ymcaredhill.com

Get outdoors

Getting out is one of the best ways to get away from your indoor routine.  Fresh air, new scenery, dodgy weather and action-induced adrenaline rushes will really stimulate you – even better if you set out to learn a new skill.

Here are some good places to start:

• British Mountaineering Council 0870 010 4878
• British Sub Aqua Club 0151 350 6200
• British Cycling Federation 0870 871 2000
• British Ski & Snow Federation 0131 445 7676
• Surrey Outdoor Learning & Development www.surreycc.gov.uk
• British Skateboaders www.sk8uk.co.uk
• www.surreyonline.info

The arts

Whether you want to be on stage or in the audience, there’s a wealth of activities in which you can get involved.

• www.surreycc.gov.uk/arts
• www.nadfas.org.uk
• www.culture.gov.uk

Drama

Join a group that performs the sort of thing you like to watch – you could start off in the chorus or crowd and see where it takes you, or help out backstage. The social side is excellent and you’ll get a real buzz performing live.

• Find out about groups from your local theatre, community hall – if it puts on shows – or ask your Personal Adviser
• http://www.connexionssurrey.co.uk/
• www.surreycc.gov.uk/arts

Music

If you play an instrument, don’t let it gather dust in your bedroom!

• Join a band or orchestra
• Learn or brush up school lesson skills in a refresher class
• Ask at the local library or adult education centre about tutors
• Join or form a band – ask around your friends, put ads in the local paper for auditions and get going
• If you’re stuck for somewhere to rehearse, ask your local community centre or youth club if you can use their space to practice
• Set up some gigs to give you something to aim for
  
• www.makingmusic.org.uk
• www.youthmusic.org.uk

Hobbies

Don’t wait for a mate to join you – be brave, find an evening class, sign up, get learning and meet new people who share your interest.

• Ask at the local library or your Connexions Personal Adviser where evening classes are held and flick through the prospectus.  You’ll be amazed what classes are available!
• Visit www.surreyonline.info for loads of ideas
• If you have learning difficulties/disabilities visit www.skill.org.uk  or www.linkleisure.co.uk to find out about local clubs and activities

Surfing safely
If you are using the internet and find something that makes you feel uncomfortable, tell a parent/carer, a friend or your Connexions Personal Adviser.

If you use chat rooms and/or messaging, remember that you never really know who you are talking to online – it could be someone trying to trick you, or worse, someone very dangerous.

Follow these tips to help you stay safe on the internet:

• Never use your real name
• Never give out your email or home addresses, where you go to school, college or work, or any other personal information
• Never tell the other person personal things about yourself
• Don’t meet the other person – they may not be who they say they are – if you do meet them stay in a public place and take an adult
• Be careful with email attachments – they could be computer viruses
• Never send anyone your picture, credit card or bank details
• Agree some ground rules with your parents/carers about what you can and can’t do on the web – it will save problems later
  
• www.surrey.police.uk/whtzup.asp
• www.nspcc.org.uk/html/home/needadvice/surfingsafelytipsforyoungpeople.htm
• www.thinkuknow.co.uk
• www.chatdanger.com

A night out

Don’t get stuck in a rut:

• Look out for new places to eat
• Go to a comedy club instead of a nightclub
• Use the internet and its many search engines to find somewhere new to go
• Invite some new friends to join you

Practical Pointers for Joining Clubs

If you are a young person thinking about going to any sort of club or organisation, or if you are a parent or carer thinking about taking your child to one, there are a number of things you should think about:

• Does the club have a recognised quality mark such as Clubmark or Active Surrey Club Accreditation for sports clubs or a good OFSTED (The Office for Standards in Education) report for play schemes?
       Clubs or organisations that have attained this kind of accreditation have shown that they are safe, child friendly environments that have all of the policies and procedures stated below in place.
  
• Does the group have a child protection policy and is it available for new members to look at if they want to?
       A child protection policy will indicate that the club has thought about the well-being of their members and that procedures are in place to safeguard them.
  
• Are the leaders, coaches and volunteers CRB (criminal record bureau) checked?
       A CRB check is done to make sure that leaders/coaches do not have previous criminal convictions, which may affect whether they are allowed to work with children or young people. An enhanced disclosure will also include details of any cautions and reprimands received.
  
• Are there trained first aiders present at all times and is there an appropriate procedure for accidents.
       This is to ensure that should you or your child have an accident they are in the best hands.
  
• Are the leaders/coaches appropriately qualified and insured to lead/coach?
       If the coaches are not qualified, this may lead to unsafe practice and risks. All qualified coaches should have insurance to cover their activities.
  
• What are the leader/coach to young person ratios?
       The ratio will vary depending on activity, but if there are a high number of children or young people to each coach, accidents are more likely to occur.
  
• Does the club or group have the correct public liability insurance?
       This will cover the club should any accidents happen and the policy should pay out for any injury or damage caused.
  
• Has the group carried out risk assessments for the equipment and activities they provide?
       Risk assessments are there to ensure that activities are carried out safely and that any risks are managed effectively.
  
• Is the group/club or organisation affiliated to the appropriate organisation?
       Sports Clubs should be affiliated to their appropriate governing body (e.g. Football Association for football) and play schemes should be affiliated to OFSTED.
  .

Need advice now?

Find your local Connexions Centre on the interactive map. Don’t forget you can also call Connexions Direct on 080 800 13 2 19 (lines open 8am – 2am, seven days a week), text 07766 4 13 2 19, or click here for a webchat with a Personal Adviser.