Earlier this month, the 3PillarsProject team organised and delivered a residential weekend for several of our Rugby Academy graduates and current Fit For Future participants, including Aaron* (name changed), who was released on temporary licence specifically so he could attend. This wasn’t just a trip away; it was a pilot designed to test a concept, gather authentic feedback, and lay the foundations for running up to three of these weekends every year.
Our aims were intentionally simple: take part fully, have fun, and give honest feedback. Using ideas gathered from apprentices beforehand, we created a varied, high-energy programme to ensure the lads gained as much as possible from the experience. The weekend blended outdoor adventures with short, relevant educational sessions, giving space for practical learning that could be discussed, challenged, and reflected on throughout the days and long into the evenings.
A huge shout-out goes to our volunteers, Adam and Bart, who delivered impactful sessions on CV writing, interview techniques, budgeting, and financial planning. As the weekend fell during MOVEMBER, we also included a session on men’s mental health - a powerful, well-received discussion that resonated deeply. Each talk was followed by a physical activity to keep spirits high and turn learning into something real and memorable.
There were nonstop smiles throughout the Gladiator challenge, the climbing wall, canoeing across Ladybower Dam, and the hikes through stunning scenery in every kind of weather — from blazing sunshine to rolling thunder and lightning. The banter was genuine, the friendly ribbing constant, and the “I’m up for anything” attitude infectious. With every shared moment, the camaraderie only grew stronger.
At its core, the weekend reminded us why this work matters: giving young men the chance to be somewhere they’ve never been, try things they’ve never done, and experience it all alongside positive role models who walk with them - not in front, not behind - and without judgement. It’s powerful, it’s moving, and it reinforces exactly why we do what we do.
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Sports mentoring involves using sports as a tool to guide and support young individuals. Through structured activities, mentors help participants develop essential life skills. This approach fosters personal growth and encourages positive behaviour changes.
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