Raising Your Game has launched a film for young people with a learning disability or communication difficulty who need to appear in court.
‘Getting ready for court’ shows how to prepare for court, who the main people in the courtroom are and what to do if you don’t understand something.

Using voices from the young people in Raising Your Game, this film gives young people aged 14-25 with a communication difficulty or learning disability an overview of the whole court process.

Before you go to court this film should help:

• If there are long words you don’t understand
• If you need to know who to ask for help
• Find out all about your rights

Raising Your Game’s young people receive Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards

The achievements of young people from Raising Your Game were celebrated at a ceremony at Windsor Castle in March.

The 15 young people, from across England, were presented with The Duke of Edinburgh’s (DofE) Bronze Award, which they achieved through Raising Your Game. Their certificates were awarded by chief executive of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Charity, Peter Westgarth.

The DofE Award is open to young people aged 14–24, and helps them acquire skills and increase their physical wellbeing. It has three levels – Bronze, Silver and Gold – and the Bronze Award has four sections – volunteering, physical, skills and expedition.

The young people had to do a minimum of three months’ activity for each of the volunteering, physical and skills sections, and plan, train for and do a two-day expedition. They also had to spend an extra three months on one section.

The activities the young people took part in included DJ’ing, cooking, volunteering at a Mencap gig and helping adults with a learning disability.

Bronze Award-holder Javid said: “I didn’t realise how hard it would be, but it gave me a real sense of achievement when I’d done it. I hope it might help me get to uni, and get a job.”

During the ceremony, group members gave presentations on their expeditions. There was also a short film, created by one of the participants, documenting their personal journey through the programme.

“It was a fantastic day and an amazing atmosphere,” said Raising Your Game regional coordinator for Avon and Somerset and DofE Award leader, Heather Ribalta. “The day was very personal and should build on the young people’s self-belief and self-confidence. I hope it will shape the future of awards for people with a learning disability.”