Our Story

The Edventure Project is the brainchild of Kimberley Vallis (Co-Director) who home (flexi) educates her boys and wanted more from the system, more from the local Home Education support and more for her outside the box kids. Inspiring and enticing local business woman and mum, Kara Penney, the two women created this unique community club for children and young people, plus their parents, out of the traditional schooling system; whether elected home educated or other in other situations.

As a former specialist HLTA, and with previous experience creating her own curriculum for a mainstream secondary which focused on what children can do when supported, rather than what they cannot, it spurred Kimberley on to leave mainstream education and she took her eldest with her. 

Then, following battles with SEND and EHCP teams, CAMHS and other professionals, she continued her training and specialism in education with young people with SEMH needs and SEND through her role as an Educational Coordinator for a local Alternative Learning Provision. However, due to the needs of her middle son who has an EHCP with complex needs but the LA unable to find a provision, she is determined to expand Edventure to support more families in the local area.

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The Edventure Project is dedicated to deliver an holistic approach of play, learning and socialising through collaborative, consent-based, adventure and exploration; for Home Educated and Flexi Schooled children and young people, as well as those out of educational settings for other reasons e.g. EOTAS. With much focus on wellbeing, health and happiness, we hope to ignite a love for learning as well as love for self through our clubs.   

When we expose children and young people to different environments and various learning experiences with trust and kindness, we allow them to explore their self-awareness, critical thinking and problem solving; and gain a sense of the world around them. We are also providing the space and opportunity to create friendships and experience connection. And that of the parents too.

 

We meet at Mafeking Hall in Ram Hill, just off the ring road near Coalpit Health and "On Tour" in a some great locations. Edventure is delighted to be offering two days per week at the Ram Hill base, and examples of our 5-7 week schedules can be seen on our Information Section. We work with our young people to offer a variety of activities and session as well as inviting local professionals such as music teachers and sports coaches.

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Where ever we are, our team have a wide range of resources and experience to offer health and wellness activities, project based learning and artistic, kinaesthetic and fun sessions plus be individualised to meet the needs of the participants that attend. The mentors have training and experience with neurodiversity, disability, mental ill health and seek to work with their counterpart  families to create an environment suited to all needs and wants. We muck in with the young people, not teaching but coaching and facilitating in a collaborative way.

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We have and will arrange projects with the children and young people themselves, or we would be happy to provide the space and support for the members to bring their own work from home. Home Education is specific, personalised and within families own values and views and we support this choice fully.

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Kimberley and Marta have experience in working with secondary aged young people and we can also support families with further education options including course, apprenticeships and signposting to services. We can also recommend and refer to specialised Advice and Guidance through our collaborative connections.