“As a kid I usually built kits by myself and it was a great activity to relax and give me focus away from other things going on in my life. My grandfather knew his WW2 aircraft as he had flown in quite a few types working on Radar IFF but I ended up having to teach him the more modern aircraft.  As an adult I don’t find much time to sit down and really spend the dedicated time and space to build a kit but my wife and daughter usually buy me a kit for my birthday/ Christmas (both in December) and I get to start the year with a build.”

After the lovely trip down memory lane, we were eager to learn more about Steve’s involvement in local youth work. Naturally, we were also excited to hear about the conception of the Role Model Initiative and how he had settled on the idea of donating model kits.

The wonderful Steve came to us in the form of an email. He had contacted us, heart in hand, on the off chance that we would be able to donate some Starter Sets as part of his Role Model Initiative. The kits were donated to kids in his native Wiltshire, to keep them occupied during lockdown, as many were isolated in their homes. Having been an avid modeller himself as a child, naturally, this felt like the perfect solution to stave off the lockdown insanity.  

Steve sat down with us (virtually of course) in a rare moment of spare time, so that we could find out what it was exactly, that kept him immersed in the world of modelling after all these years.

“I first started model making as a child and primary school age. I can’t quite remember the very first kit I built, but I think it was a 1:144 scale F18 Hornet and I do remember I used Tipex (white) to paint it. Finances were always limited in the family and I always had to just make use with what I had. My Grandfather was in the RAF during WW2 and that connection and growing interest in aircraft is really what got me started.

“As a kid I usually built kits by myself and it was a great activity to relax and give me focus away from other things going on in my life. My grandfather knew his WW2 aircraft as he had flown in quite a few types working on Radar IFF but I ended up having to teach him the more modern aircraft.  As an adult I don’t find much time to sit down and really spend the dedicated time and space to build a kit but my wife and daughter usually buy me a kit for my birthday/ Christmas (both in December) and I get to start the year with a build.”

After the lovely trip down memory lane, we were eager to learn more about Steve’s involvement in local youth work. Naturally, we were also excited to hear about the conception of the Role Model Initiative and how he had settled on the idea of donating model kits.

“We are situated in the military area around Salisbury plane – several teenagers linked to our youth work projects are interested in a career in the forces. Model making has helped them develop interest in tanks, planes, and history. During 2020 amid the Covid19 Pandemic I launched the Role Model Initiative. I delivered starter kits that I already had and with the help of donations by individuals and Airfix we were able to circulate kits to around another 80 teenagers who were mostly isolated in their homes and some key workers’ children who were still in secondary schools. I was keen that the Airfix starter kits were ideal as everything was contained and put no further pressure on families for finances or resources. It was a new challenge for many who had not made a model before. The feedback from the young people and their families highlighted the enjoyment, positive mental and physical impact it had had.”

Here are some comments from the families that Steve has positively impacted with his initiative:

“Hi Steve. Thank you so much. He has enjoyed making the kits. He is almost there with them! They have definitely been both helpful and enjoyable. Thank you so much. When you came he was at a low point. Knowing people like you are around and caring has been an important part of him feeling better. Thank you so much!”

“Thank you it went very well. My son did amazing given the fact he is autistic and it’s the first one he has done. Thank you very much!”

“My daughter loved building the car with some help... but my oh my some of those bits I couldn’t even see lol because they were so tiny… but it’s definitely got my daughter into wanting to build more.”

“She really enjoyed it… took ages but enjoyable and relaxing…thank you for the gift.”

“They went awesome! The kids loved doing them and I loved watching and helping them through the process! Thank you for giving them the opportunity! They loved it!”

“Along with a wide range of activities, modelling has been used with several children we have worked with over the years that are transitioning from year 6 primary school up into year 7 at Secondary school. We use it with teenagers as it’s something they have been keen to try as a new hobby and enabled development of commitment and sense of achievement."

"With a wide range of subject matter model making is a tangible activity that challenges patience and self-control. It is not a culture of being the best but one of just trying your best and to keep on trying."

"It has been encouraging in the last year to see generations working together, sharing stories, tips, and experiences. These are skills and attitudes a younger generation need to learn, experience, and develop in all aspects of their lives and something we all then benefit from. Youth work works.

“It’s a hobby that has and continues to benefit me and I see benefits others for so many reasons and at the core of it all: enjoyment.”

After reflecting on all the good that the kits and Steve’s initiative have done for the local children, we wanted to hear Steve expand on his work as a whole.

“Youth work suffers from a great lack of investment in vision, time, and finances. Cuts to services nationally and locally over the years has caused huge voids in the support youth workers and charities can offer. The last year has highlighted the heart-breaking need for everyone including teenagers to listened to and supported in practical ways to deal with emotional, mental, physical, and social health.

“I lead a very small youth work charity and have tried to do what we can over the last 10 years to meet those needs. This has included face to face 1-2-1- schools based student mentoring supporting throughout the whole of the pandemic, in partnership with the police carrying out detached youth work out in community areas engaging with those teenagers unable to cope with staying at home or following national or local guild lines.

“Before the pandemic one of our projects included running a youth club and youth centre in a village that despite its rural and minimal resources was attended by around 20-30 teenagers every week. Following Government guidelines in March 2020 all youth centres have had to close, with many not due to reopen in the coming months/year ahead due to financial shortfalls and maintaining staff requirements.”

We want to thank Steve for his time and his words, we truly believe that the impact he has had on the world thus far has been incredible. The Airfix team are honoured to be a part of Steve’s journey and cannot wait to see what he does next.

We have included some of the products Steve mentioned in his article so that if anyone comes to mind who you think would benefit from a bit of Airfix TLC, you can share this with them and recreate some of Steve's favourite builds.