What A.P.P.L.E. is About

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A.P.P.L.E. is known for playing out in the park and having fun - and we do -  but the structure behind is based on 4 main principles that guide what we do:

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• The Next Step

• We are all in it together

• Experience it-learn it-share it

• Shared Space Shared Values

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THE NEXT STEP encompasses how we act towards each other and how we see our responsibilities to each other and it applies to us all: staff, children, young people, families and friends as we encourage each other at every stage to take the NEXT STEP. THE NEXT STEP is the response to what each individual wants and needs; taking part in a training course to boost skills, a football match, something to eat,  the opportunity to take part in something exciting and challenging (a football competition, camping, the Thames Festival), comfort over the loss of a loved one. It is choosing to make a positive step.

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​WE ARE ALL IN IT TOGETHER: Everyone at A.P.P.L.E. is involved in thinking about how to make A.P.P.L.E. better. No one is outside of what happens at A.P.P.L.E. The programme is constantly evolving.  Ideas come from anywhere from an event management course for young people to something talked about over cutting up fruit salad. The solidity and dependability of what we do provides the security for A.P.P.L.E. to be taken for granted by the young people, as it should be. This security allows them to step out and grow in confidence and ability. It is the balance between a safe home base and challenging activities that gives dynamism to the projects.

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​EXPERIENCE IT – LEARN IT - SHARE IT has always been at the heart of A.P.P.L.E. right from the start: to get children and young people, active, involved and taking responsibility for their time and well being.​

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• EXPERIENCE IT: A.P.P.L.E. is lively and encourages children and young people to jump in and try new things - new foods (chocolate beetroot cake), new sport (croquet), new experiences (wall climbing, the theatre) and more.

• LEARN IT : Then to learn from it, learn to be courageous, to face a challenge, to feel the sense of accomplishment, to feel knowledge and experience grow.​

• SHARE IT: And then to pass it on by encouraging others to be challenged, try the unknown, to be brave, to teach the skills learnt and give back something.

 

​SHARED SPACE SHARED VALUES: ​A.P.P.L.E is located in an area of high cultural diversity. This cultural diversity is constantly in a state of flux, with newcomers from different backgrounds constantly joining the mix. We put on events that promote commonality and shared experiences that develop understanding, trust and respect.

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