Riley and Isobel Share Life-Changing RYLA Experience

​Members of Maidenhead Bridge Rotary, Burnham Beeches Rotary and Maidenhead Thames Rotary came together for an inspiring presentation from this year’s Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) candidates, Riley and Isobel, who shared the challenges, friendships and leadership lessons from what they both described as one of the best experiences of their lives.

Riley and Isobel were jointly sponsored by the three Rotary clubs to take part in the week-long residential leadership programme, which combines classroom-based learning with practical challenges designed to develop confidence, communication, teamwork, problem-solving and leadership skills.

The evening gave Rotarians an opportunity to hear first-hand just how much the experience had meant to both young people and how the lessons learned during an intensive week will stay with them long after the course itself.

RYLA is very much about learning by doing. The programme begins with leadership and teamwork theory, exploring how people learn, how effective teams develop and how different leadership approaches can be used. Candidates also take part in regular reviews and feedback sessions, encouraging them to identify strengths, weaknesses and ways to improve.

Isobel explained how this theory was quickly put into practice. Early activities included team-building exercises and gorge walking, alongside learning about the Tuckman model of team development. The gorge walking helped the candidates understand their roles within the group and become more confident communicating with one another.

The challenges continued with coracle building and hill walking, where the teams discovered that successful leadership isn't necessarily about rushing to find the answer. Isobel reflected that the coracle challenge taught her team to slow down and communicate more effectively, while hill walking further strengthened communication within the group.

As the week progressed, candidates moved into dedicated skills days. They tackled navigation and blindfold challenges, with each participant having opportunities to lead. For Isobel, the blindfold challenge was her first experience of taking responsibility for leading her team, allowing her to put the week's learning into practice and build her confidence.

Further practical training included abseiling and a Tyrolean traverse, preparing the candidates for the demanding final stage of the programme.

Everything they had learned then came together in the two-day final expedition, with two teams of six candidates going head-to-head and having to draw upon their leadership, communication and practical skills. The exercise was designed to test their ability to make decisions, support others, work under pressure and coordinate effectively as a team.

The expedition involved a formidable range of challenges, including abseiling, sailing, caving and wild camping, followed on the second day by navigation, the Tyrolean traverse and canoeing. At the end of the expedition, candidates received certificates recognising their completion of the programme.

But perhaps the most powerful part of the presentation was hearing what Riley and Isobel had taken away from the experience personally.

Both spoke about growing in confidence, learning how to communicate more effectively with their peers and understanding that being a good leader isn't simply about being the person who takes charge. One of their biggest lessons was that leadership is 70% listening to others and only 30% taking charge.

The programme also emphasised the importance of reflection: candidates repeatedly planned, acted, reviewed what had happened and considered how they could improve, turning each challenge into an opportunity to develop their leadership skills.

For Isobel, who had joined RYLA specifically wanting to develop her confidence and leadership skills, the week provided an opportunity to become more confident speaking in front of her peers and in her ability to lead a team through a task.

The evening was also a wonderful example of Rotary collaboration. By jointly sponsoring Riley and Isobel, Maidenhead Bridge Rotary, Burnham Beeches Rotary and Maidenhead Thames Rotary were able to give two local young people an opportunity to challenge themselves, develop valuable life skills and discover their own potential as leaders.

We are incredibly proud of Riley and Isobel and delighted that they described RYLA as one of the best experiences of their lives. Hearing their presentations on Friday made it very clear what a lasting impact the programme has had.

RYLA aims to equip young people with skills that can be carried into education, employment, community projects and their future careers. Riley and Isobel's presentations provided a compelling demonstration of that impact and a fitting reminder of the difference Rotary can make when local clubs work together to invest in the next generation. 

If you, or you know someone, might be interested in taking part in RYLA (its aimed at 18 to 25 year olds) do get in touch with us today.

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