Alex’s Leadership Journey

Alex Farrel with President Derath Durkin

Alex explained that he had recently completed a week‑long personal development programme that significantly reshaped his approach to leadership, teamwork and problem‑solving. Nominated and supported by our club for the RYLA scheme, he joined this intensive residential course blending outdoor challenges, simulated emergency scenarios and guided reflection, all designed to equip young people with practical leadership skills they can use in their communities and throughout their future careers.

What Happened on the Course

Alex gave an overview of the residential week; a Sunday‑to‑Friday programme with daily checkpoints, structured activities and evening debriefs that encouraged continuous learning. There were also;

• Team navigation challenges; Working in rotating leadership roles, groups used maps to reach checkpoints while practising communication, delegation and situational awareness.
• Simulated emergency incidents; Participants handled staged scenarios, including a mock car accident, assessing risks, coordinating responses and making decisions under pressure.
• Problem‑solving tasks; Creative team challenges - from ball‑and‑hoop activities to group presentations - reinforced planning, collaboration and adaptability.
• Structured reflection; After each activity, teams held debriefs to identify lessons learned and highlight transferable skills.
• Networking opportunities; The course brought together young people and adults from diverse backgrounds, creating connections that may lead to future mentoring and collaboration.

Skills Gained and Real‑World Impact

After outlining the structure and challenges of the residential week, Alex went on to describe how these experiences translated into practical, lasting personal development. The combination of navigation tasks, emergency simulations, problem‑solving activities and daily reflection didn’t just test the teams, it shaped the way he now approaches real situations. He highlighted several key skills and behaviours that have already begun influencing his work, his leadership style and his confidence in community settings;

• Situational assessment; Alex now pauses to assess before acting, a habit he has already applied while leading activities at a local holiday club.
• Team leadership; Rotating leadership roles built confidence in directing others while staying collaborative and inclusive.
• Communication under pressure; Managing simulated emergencies strengthened his ability to stay calm, clear and focused.
• Empathy in leadership; Alex plans to apply these skills in film making, leading crews with respect rather than authority.
• Lasting networks; Connections include a district governor interested in future video projects and peers keen to continue meeting for shared development.

It was clear from Alex’s talk that the skills he gained will continue to shape his confidence, leadership and contribution to the community in the months and years ahead.

Click here to see some photos of the 2026 RYLA