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Thanks for taking the time to visit the SYHA 'Give us a Break' justgiving page. SYHA Hostelling Scotland’s ‘Give Us a Break’ programme aims to tackle social exclusion by offering funding  to groups of vulnerable or disadvantaged young people to take part in activity holidays at Youth Hostels across Scotland. The programme is specifically aimed at groups of young people who would not otherwise have this opportunity due to being affected in their every day lives by social exclusion, deprivation or disadvantage.    ‘Give Us a Break’ trips enable young people to experience the outdoors and improve their health by taking part in activities while at the same time developing team building skills, awareness of their environment and increased confidence and independence. By taking kids out of their ‘comfort zone’ we can challenge them to learn more about themselves and realise their true abilities. Through the introduction of new ideas and the development of increased self-confidence the aim is to equip ‘Give Us a Break’ participants with knowledge and new skills to assist them to break the cycle of exclusion and enjoy a better quality of life.   Many of the participants that have participated in the ‘Give Us a Break’ scheme had never experienced life outside their own home and the change of setting can have a great impact on their outlook.      One teenager who recently attended a break at our Loch Lomond Hostel summed up the impact of our trip by saying, ‘This is like a dream, I’ve never been to anywhere like this before.’    The cost of offering a two-night 'Give us a Break' is around £150 per child. This year, with the help of Provident Financial and Scottish Power,  we hope to offer the 'Give us a Break' experience to over 200 children across Scotland.   This year we aim to raise £5000 for the 'Give us a Break' project from SYHA supporters. Your donations on this new justgiving page will help us to boost our current 'Give us a Break' funding and enable SYHA to offer this experience to more young people than ever this year.   Your support can make a big difference to a young person in Scotland. Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.   If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Fiona Rattray, Fundraising and Development Manager,  on 01786 891 373 or email Fiona at <a href="mailto:fiona.rattray@syha.org.uk">fiona.rattray@syha.org.uk</a>     Fiona Rattray Fundraising and Development Manager   PS Please take a few minutes to have a look at our photos from two recent 'Give us a Break' trips to Rowardennan Lodge at Loch Lomond and Cairngorm Lodge near Aviemore.