Samuel Ikin

I have had lots of experience in children's work. Over the last 4-5 years I have been been helping weekly at the local church kids and youth groups in the different churches I've been a part of. In my church in Bath I helped weekly at the Wednesday "Kids Club", and in the church in Derby I have helped weekly at the local Kids Club on Fridays and Youth Club on Saturdays. This voluntary church work has given me lots of experience with dealing with young people ages 4-18 from all backgrounds. I presented short epilogues to the group, and led games for all ages. I also have had work experience in primary schools, and through that have learned how different children learn according to their different needs and abilities and how to best cater for them.

During my time with Foundation Matters I've proven myself to be a hard worker, often working 2-3 long 14+ hour days on camps while sleeping on site with the campers. I've shown leadership skills when I coach archery, Watersport and bushcraft sessions with the children and often had to deal with difficult behaviour and have grown in my ability to respond and diffuse it. Over my year volunteering with them we have had over 800 children come through camps, of which a large number have been SEN children, therefore I am growing in my experience in working with these children. I've shown myself to be caring and competent around children of all needs and backgrounds - creating a fun, safe environment and experience for them.

I've shown myself to have an eye for detail as we spend 2 days a week cleaning the camp centre between groups, and in being aware of any signs of safeguarding issues or health and safety issues. I also showed this during my time working as a gardener for a local landlord.

I've shown myself to be a quick learner who picks up a task easily - having started the year at Foundation Matters untrained in any activity and am finishing my year's work with them qualified in leading archery, canoeing and paddle boarding.

I've worked (and lived with) a small team over this last year, and shown myself to be a good team worker as the team unite together to give the safest and most enjoyable experience every camp.

I've shown myself to be dependable - working and giving my best without supervision and making sure I do the best job possible, whether that's leading an activity with the children or cleaning the facilities.