Positive outcomes

The Helmsman Project draws on research from the fields of education, psychology and youth development, to design programs that are informed by evidence and deliver measureable outcomes. From 2013 to 2018, The Helmsman Project conducted a major Australian Research Council (ARC) research project in partnership with the Institute for Positive Psychology and Education (IPPE) at the Australian Catholic University.

The methodological structure of this project, a longitudinal randomised controlled trial, is considered the ‘gold-standard’ of scientific research. The outcomes of this investigation were recently published in a PhD thesis entitled: Giving disadvantaged adolescents skills to flourish: Random-control-trial intervention integrating developmental coaching with outdoor adventure education.

Our research found The Helmsman Project program helped its adolescent participants to develop many important qualities and skills. When compared to the control group, participants in The Helmsman Project program reported statistically significant positive effects related to hope (agency & pathways thinking), positive global self-beliefs, open thinking, wellbeing, social effectiveness, aspects of self-regulation, certain life effectiveness skills, and reduction in negative behaviours and beliefs associated with motivation and engagement.