Making Generation R goes digital for lockdown

Making Generation R is using the inspiring stories of how Members have tackled the adversity in their lives to help young people cope with the pressures of life under lockdown.

As you know, Blesma has been quick to act throughout the COVID Crisis, and social distancing has of course also had a major impact on the Making Generation R programme. With schools closed, and teachers looking to online resources, students at home need to find resilience now more than ever.

In order to help young people learn resilience at home, Blesma along with The Drive Project are proud to have launched a digital resilience resource, featuring 30 veterans talking about their experiences. This is being made available to help young people learn to manage their anxiety and develop positive coping strategies; at the same time it also gives our Members an opportunity to build confidence, and learn to tell their stories in a dynamic and engaging way. 

The Making Generation R campaign has already benefited more than 70,000 students across the UK and the aim is to continue its inspirational impact in the digital space during lockdown. Already, over 7,500 young people have access to the resources, and this number is expected to rise. 

The Members, including former Royal Engineer Josh Boggi, five times Invictus Games Medallist, have filmed themselves telling their stories at home. Their powerful testimonies are accompanied by exercises within the pack that explore adversity and self-esteem. 

“This is a free resource that is available to all schools and we hope it will help thousands of young people deal with the pressures of lockdown. Making Generation R has been running for four years and has had a significant, positive effect on young people helping them build resilience in times of stress.” - Grace Staniland, managing director of The Drive Project. 

The Digital Resilience Resource is being utilised by schools across the country, and teacher Simon Gardiner, Subject lead Media studies at the Ark Globe Academy in South East London, says: ‘During this challenging time MGR is a brilliant resilience resource to support our students, it’s such an engaging story and a refreshing new angle to help the students with their well being’  

Mat Armitage, Blesma Member and Making Generation R speaker, adds: “By listening to the stories you will learn about what it means to be resilient and how we can use resilience to overcome the adversities we may face in our lives. Millions of people are experiencing adversity as a result of the Coronavirus. Many of us can’t visit loved ones, go to school or hang out with our friends. It’s a really challenging time.” 

Of course, just as Making Generation R provides students and pupils with a fresh understanding of resilience, it also provides Blesma Members with a fantastic opportunity to learn new skills, build confidence and share their stories.  

Learn more

If you’re a Member interested in taking part in Making Generation R register your interest with Tuesday Critchfield by emailing info@makinggenerationr.com or calling 07384257472.