Blue EDGE (Educate, Develop, Grow, Empower)

Program description

Blue EDGE is designed to Educate, Develop, Grow and Empower young people using fitness and activity-based learning. Blue EDGE runs in partnership with Victoria Police and emergency services. The program is tailored to a group of 20 young people in Years 7–9. It promotes positive behaviours and attitudes by instilling a positive mind set towards their future.

Blue EDGE works to help develop life skills such as:

• effective communication
• collaboration
• problem-solving
• self-awareness.

It aims to improve connection to community, healthy and safe decision making, and mental wellbeing.

Sessions involve physical exercise, a shared meal and dynamic workshop activities. These are proven to increase confidence and model skills like connection, self-reflection, resilience, and a growth mindset.

The program focuses on youth mental health and wellbeing by providing tools for self-regulation, increasing social connection, teamwork and making safe choices.

Intended outcomes

• Increased resilience, confidence and a greater sense of self-worth
• Improved mental wellbeing and sense of empowerment
• Stronger life skills including problem solving, effective communication, collaboration and self-awareness
• Improved connection to community
• Improved attitude toward, trust in and understanding of police and emergency services

Program details

Implementation considerations

• Target population: Year 7-9 students who have experienced disadvantage, mental health challenges, or are disengaged from school, as well as those who have displayed an interest in personal development opportunities, and/or displayed leadership qualities.
• Program adaptability: The program is suitable for diverse cohorts including:
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students
  • culturally and linguistically diverse students
  • neurodivergent students.
• Staffing: As a minimum, at least one staff member (teacher or Health and Wellbeing Officer) is required to be present during the program and aid in group cohesion and participation. Schools are not required to backfill for teaching staff during the implementation of this program as generally it is delivered before school. Teachers are encouraged to participate, however no preparation is required, and participation is at the teachers' discretion.
• Training requirements: No training required. The only equipment to be provided by the school is a suitable and consistent space for safe participation in the fitness session (e.g. gymnasium) and a second more intimate space where the group can come together to eat the shared meal and participate in the workshop discussions and activities.
• Factors to consider: The program runs onsite before school (although can be delivered during class or after school). Sessions are 120 minutes in duration with 8 sessions in total delivered weekly with a graduation ceremony at the end of the program of up to 4 hours. The program is delivered to a cohort of up to 20 students, with a minimum requirement of 10 students.
• Australian context: The program has been developed and applied in Australia.

Cost

Minimum cost

$5,000+

Detailed cost

The total cost of the 8-session program is $9,143.20 (including GST).

The pricing quoted includes:

• catering
• Blue EDGE t-shirt for each participant
• facilitator wages and training
• administration and management
• program equipment and materials.