The aim of Pyramid clubs is to provide children with a fun, positive experience, in a group, offering them lots of new experiences and the opportunity to develop friendships. They are therapeutic activity clubs that are specially designed for children in primary schools who are quiet, shy, anxious, isolated, withdrawn or finding it difficult to make friends. They are delivered in partnership with health and education. The clubs are run by volunteers of all ages who receive comprehensive training.
Pyramid clubs run after school for an hour and a half and involve fun games, snack time, circle time discussion and art and craft activities. The clubs take place once a week for ten weeks during the school term.
The outcomes for the child have been identified as:
- a sense of belonging
- increased self-esteem and confidence
- ability to make new friendships
- improved academic performance
- more willing to participate
- better relationships with peers and adults
- improvement in self-concept/locus of control
- better social skills
- improved attendance and attitude towards school.
A Brief History
Pyramid was initially developed by Kay FitzHerbert, a social worker on an Educational Priority Area project attached to a secondary school and its feeder primaries in the London UK
Through a variety of funding sources the number of local projects grew considerably. Two key elements of the Pyramid model are now in the forefront of national thinking – children’s emotional well-being and multi-agency working – and Pyramid continues to prosper as a result. Following a period of discussion Pyramid was taken under the ContinYou umbrella in 2007 when ContinYou agreed to sustain and develop the work of The Pyramid Trust. The Pyramid scheme was established in
For further information about the Pyramid Project at a national level and to view a Pyramid introductory video please visit the ContinYou website.
