Back on track (14-15)

Youth Vision - back on track icon

Back on Track is our intensive, year-long support programme and is suitable for hard-to-reach young people aged 14-16 who are not attaining in or attending school.

Young people can be referred to us by a school Guidance department, Education Welfare Officers or partner organisations. Young people can join our groups for one or two days per week and will become part of a community that focuses on positive peer and adult interactions, friendship, work ethic, conservation, and personal development and self-discovery. The group is run by experienced youth workers with the support of regular volunteers.

Who is it for?

  • An intensive year-long support and outdoor learning programme.
  • Suitable for young people in S4 (15-16 years old)

The young people that are referred to us are:

  • Not attaining in, or attending school.
  • From areas of urban deprivation.
  • Struggling to cope with a range of inter-related problems that affect their life-chances.

How does it work?

  • The project runs every Thursday throughout the school year.
  • A maximum of 8 young people to ensure we are providing a safe and nurturing learning environment.
  • The young people are picked up at 8:30am and dropped off at 15:30pm from their schools in the Youth Vision minibus
  • All outdoor clothing, equipment and food for the day is provided.

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:

  • 10am: Arrive at the car park and discuss our personal and group goals for the day.
  • 10:30am: 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.
  • 11am: Breakfast. During breakfast we discuss tasks for the day.
  • 11am–1:30pm: Tasks & work ethic including: preparing & cooking the soup for lunch, fixing things around the cottage, building work, green woodwork, dry stone walling, gardening and exploring.
  • 1:30-2:15pm: Lunch
  • 2:15-3pm: Finish individual and group projects, tidy up & review the day.

Personal and social development

  • One to one support sessions with a Youth Vision facilitator
  • Counselling Service (Dip Counselling for children and young people BACP Member)
  • Individual S.M.A.R.T goal setting
  • Self reviewing skills through ‘My Circle’ process
  • Healthy eating
  • Building a structured routine
  • Personal action plans

Employability skills and awards

  • Dynamic Youth Award (SCQF Level 3)
  • John Muir Discovery and Explorer awards
  • Youth Vision Tool Safety Certificate
  • C.V. writing workshops
  • Follow-on support after completion of the programme
  • Volunteering and Mentoring opportunities with Youth Vision