Young people scale new heights
Hundreds of ‘hard-to-reach’ care leavers and young carers are having their life prospects turned around thanks to a groundbreaking new initiative that takes them out of their comfort zone and into the Scottish wilderness. The ‘Inspiring Young Futures’ programme, organised by the charity Venture Trust, helps 16 to 19-year-olds build confidence with a series of challenging outdoors activities like canoeing, kayaking, hill walking and abseiling.
Keith Brown, Minister for Skills and Lifelong Learning, experienced the course first hand by joining a rock abseiling exercise near Aberfoyle today.
Mr Brown said:
“By providing activities and events like these it is clear that the Inspiring Young Futures programme is providing the kind of opportunities often denied to those in our care system. The work being carried out here is challenging, inspiring and not to mention good fun, but has a serious purpose. It is clear that by meeting the challenges put in front of them on these expeditions, the young people involved can bring about lasting personal changes.”