The Back on Track Programme is currently not running. Watch this space for further details.
A nature connection programme suitable for young people moving into or currently in S3 and S4 (13-15 years old) based at our 18th century farm steading in the Pentland Hills.
Overview
This programme has been developed for young people who are not attaining in or attending school or are often struggling to cope with a range of interrelated problems that affect their life chances. We provide alternative solutions to support many different needs. Working alongside the referral agency, we develop an individual plan and ensure inclusion.
Aims
The primary objective is to give Young People the opportunity:
- To identify and discuss their personal issues and to release the constraints caused by those issues, in a safe place, through the use of the outdoor classroom.
- To examine the issues behind their negative behaviours by providing a sense of security, both emotional and physical
- To gain control of their own lives, make better choices and help them to make the transition from the negatives to the responsibilities of being an adult.
- To raise self-confidence, self-esteem and learn to build positive relationships with their peers and adults.
We work alongside the school and the family during each block to include school pre meet ups, school meetings and family support as needed. This can be followed on with our Young Person Mentoring and Family Support service as required.
Weekly sessions
The programme runs every Thursday for a 10-week period based on the Youth Vision Circle of Life Framework and takes place at our cottage within the Pentland Hills.
Each young person is collected from their school and the course is completed within the school day hours.
Food and drinks are provided throughout the day.
Awards and accreditations
Whilst completing the Youth Vision Circle of Life sessions, young people will also be able to attain:
- Dynamic Youth Awards – SCQF level 3
- John Muir Award – Discovery Level
- Youth Vision Awards – course attendance and completion, tool safety
Dates
We will have two intakes throughout the year, one in April and September. The 2024 dates are:
Block 1: April 16th – 20th June 2024
Block 2: September 5th – 14th November 2024
What does a normal day look like?
No two days at Youth Vision are quite the same and the young people have a choice in all of the activities, however a typical day might look like this:
- 9.30am: Arrive at the car park and discuss our personal and group goals for the day.
- 10:00am: Arrive @ Threipmuir cottage, split into small teams and begin the daily tasks: lighting the fires to boil water and cook breakfast, checking the compost toilet, unlocking all of the outbuildings, chopping firewood.
- 10:30am: Breakfast. During breakfast we discuss tasks for the day.
- 11:30am–1:30pm: Tasks & work ethic including:
working towards awards and individual SMART goals and life skills, such as, preparing & cooking the soup for lunch, fixing things around the cottage, building work, green woodwork, gardening and exploring. - 1:30-2:15pm: Lunch
- 2:15-3pm: Finish individual and group projects, tidy up & review the day.
