In Edinburgh, the Venture Scotland Delivery Team are taking youth work outside — literally and boldly. Their programme swaps four walls for wide skies, giving young people the chance to try everything from orienteering to rock climbing, often for the first time. But this isn’t just about activities — it’s about building confidence by doing things that once felt out of reach.
Each journey is shaped around the young person, not a tick-list. Some start the course barely speaking. Months later, they’re leading their group up a hill or guiding a canoe downriver. The team’s approach is down-to-earth, hands-on, and genuinely supportive. Staff don’t stand back — they climb, paddle, cook, laugh, and fail alongside the young people, proving that effort matters more than perfection.
They also introduce young people to a different way of being outdoors — one that’s about connection, not competition. From clearing litter to planting trees, participants see how small acts can change their environment. Over time, that awareness spills inward. By the end, many young people say they feel more grounded, more sure of themselves, and more open to life’s possibilities.
As one Young Ambassador puts it, “They believed in me before I did. Now I see myself differently.” That’s the Delivery Team’s quiet power: showing young people that they’re capable — and always have been.
Forget the classroom. On Board with CashBack takes learning to the waves. Run by Ocean Youth Trust Scotland, this programme brings together young people aged 12–25 from across Renfrewshire and beyond, offering an unforgettable mix of sailing, teamwork, and challenge.
Many come into the programme carrying heavy stuff — stress, trauma, brushes with the law. Out on the water, all that shifts. Over five days at sea, they learn how to steer, tie knots, cook, clean, and keep the boat afloat — not as passengers, but as crew. It’s intense, it’s real, and it’s where breakthroughs happen.
The voyage is the heart of the programme, but it’s surrounded by other building blocks: group sessions, outdoor days, and volunteering in the community. They earn up to 10 qualifications, but what really matters is the pride they feel when they pull it off — when the sails go up, when the teamwork clicks, when they realise they’ve got something to give.
Beyond the boat, they give back to their communities — last year’s group of 51 young people contributed over 440 hours of volunteering, creating wildlife-friendly spaces and accessible paths. The impact is lasting: in 2023, 72% of participants felt less inclined to engage in antisocial behaviour after the programme.
Ryan, a 19-year-old once caught in a cycle of trouble, found his way forward through the programme. Now on a construction course and free from police involvement, his story is proof of what On Board with CashBack can achieve.
On the shores of northwest Scotland, Ullapool Sea Savers are giving marine conservation a youthful shake-up. Their Love Our Seas project isn’t about lectures or leaflets — it’s powered by action, curiosity, and a deep love of place.
Their boat acts as a floating classroom, letting young people snorkel, kayak, and observe marine life up close — sometimes spotting dolphins, otters, or sea eagles. Every outing strengthens their bond with the sea and their understanding of what it needs. Each young person adopts a marine species to champion, working alongside a Member of the Scottish Parliament to protect it.
Older members mentor the younger ones, sharing knowledge and creating a strong sense of belonging. The group includes school refusers, neurodivergent young people, and those who often feel on the margins. Here, they’re not only included — they’re leading.
Their grassroots campaigns ripple far beyond the Highlands. One initiative, stencilling drains to warn against pollution, was picked up by schools elsewhere in Scotland. They’ve also been featured on BBC Springwatch, invited to the Scottish Parliament, and taken MSPs snorkelling to show — not tell — what’s at stake.
It’s serious work, but it’s also joyful. Love Our Seas proves that care and connection can start young, and go deep.
Whether addressing eco-anxiety, learning new skills, or building skills for employability, Love Our Seas helps young people build confidence and take ownership of their coastal heritage.