Young people in Callander and the surrounding rural area do not have access to the service provision that their urban counterparts engage with. CYP strives to operate as a Rural Youth Hub for the McLaren High School catchment area, providing a wide range of opportunities and training for young people within the local community.

Training and Employability - CYP currently operates as a successful SQA centre through our social enterprise a youth hostel - offering employability qualifications such as Modern Apprenticeships and the Steps to Work award. We deliver accredited courses to young people within the community offering a number of SQA Hospitality qualifications.

Our social enterprise supports young people by offering volunteering opportunities to develop practical skills in catering, hospitality and the tourism industry. Young people are also supported to complete their Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award with us where they will develop the skills essential for their futures - communication, teamwork and resilience.

The local labour market, in Callander, is focused on tourism and we support young people into these jobs, acting as an intermediary to train and support young people to sustain positive destinations.

Youth Work - Our youth worker is experienced in connecting and providing engage in activities for those hard to reach groups. By spending 1 day a week in the local high school, he provides support to young people who are struggling at school, whether through engagement issues or other challenges. We provide skills workshops and support, giving an insight into working expectations.

Social and Leisure Activities - CYP run a weekly Youth Club, during term time, for children in Primary 6 and Primary 7 within the catchment area of McLaren High School. This helps young people meet others before commencing high school.

We have recently restarted our Senior Youth Club for those in secondary school, providing activities and sessions to engage with local young people.

We arrange weekend activities for local young people. In particular we run outdoors activities, taking advantage of the surrounding areas and opportunities while introducing young people to new experiences.

Access to social, leisure and recreational activities is limited in a rural location such as Callander and surrounding areas. A lack of public transport in the evenings results in further isolation for young people.

Providing the opportunity to meet others and to participate in activities locally supports positive wellbeing both mentally and physically. Children and young people can participate in new activities, develop interests and hobbies and have a place that can come and be together. They can develop friendships and peer support.