Why we need your help?

Venture Scotlands mission is to help more YP lead a happier, healthier and more fulfilled life. Our programmes help reduce the amount of YP suffering from self-harm, eating disorders, addiction and homelessness and dying as a result of suicide.

Unfortunately, we did not receive funding through the Glasgow City Council's Communities Fund, and we have been struggling to gain sufficient funding for our core Glasgow operation. We are committed to continuing our service to help vulnerable young people struggling after Covid lockdown.

Who we help?

Every year, our small delivery team engage with up to 50 YP, aged 16-30, from Glasgow and surrounding council areas; in particular YP who are struggling with their mental health, often due to trauma, and lack the practical and emotional skills to live a fulfilling life. Our YP live in areas of social deprivation where poverty, health inequality, unemployment, crime and alcohol/substance misuse problems are widely prevalent.

What we do?

VS aims to provide YP, who are struggling to cope, with the emotional tools and strategies to navigate the ups and downs of life and improve their physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. Using Scotlands natural environments and person-centred practice, we deliver 4 progressive personal development programmes (Challenge, Discover, Explore, Leadership) over an intensive year. Our programmes consist of regular group-based outdoor activities (rock climbing, hill walking, paddling, gorge walking), life skills sessions, 1-2-1 support sessions and residentials to our remote bothy in Kinlochetive.

How we help?

Our Outdoor Programme Leaders are both excellent youth workers and fully qualified outdoor instructors and are a consistent person of trust for each YP. This allows YP to experience routine, caring relationships, safe spaces with peers, meaningful activity, mindfulness, regular sleeping and eating patterns, time away from technology and the restorative effect of the outdoors. Our staff and volunteers are trained to offer YP unconditional positive regard at all times - we give YP the safe space to trust us, so that they can unpack their issues.

Quote from a young person who completed our course:

Too many drugs brought me to VS in the first place. But I came to realise I dont need that and there are better things to strive for. Just getting outdoors, doing some exercise, getting some sunshine will reap more benefits, rather than the self-indulgent things I did. Not only are you doing something more innocent, but you will feel better, you will look better, you will be better.

How can you help?

Our current Glasgow funding is starting to run out and we urgently need additional funding to allow us to meet the needs of YP in the area. Although our target is big, we would be grateful for any amount of support every single donation all adds up! You can donate through a 1-off gift, a regular monthly donation or a fundraising event.

Please help to continue to #changeyounglives in Greater Glasgow.