what is venture trust offering you?

A range of programmes, all of which are designed to help you to build your confidence, learn some new skills, spend time with other young people, and think about your ambitions for the future.

We’ll help you to think about the next stage in your life  – whether you’d like to find a job, sign up for some training or more education, or volunteer abroad – and we’ll work with you to write a personal ‘action plan’ to help make these goals a reality.

We have three types of programme, each with a different approach to suit your situation. All of our programmes are focussed around time in the ‘wilderness’, as our past participants found that taking some time and space away from their usual situations gave them a chance to really think about the changes they’d like to make. They also include longer-term work with our outreach team, who will help you to put some of your new skills into action, and who can help link you up to other opportunities in your area.

You’ll often need to be referred onto our programmes, usually by your social worker, or another organisation you’re working with. Chat to them if you’re interested in any of our programmes, or give us a call if you’re not sure how to go about getting a referral.

Our three types of programme are:

living wild

• An entirely new type of approach for us, and the only Venture Trust programmes based completely out in the wild – no roof over your head (unless it’s canvas) and no vehicles to move you from place to place. This complete change from your normal environment provides you with the space to think about what you need to change in your life. Venture Trust staff will support you as you complete a totally different set of challenges. ‘Living Wild’ programmes currently include:
• Chance for Change: If you’re aged 16-25, and on probation anywhere in Scotland, this programme can support you to decide what kind of changes you’d like to make in your lives, and help you develop the skills and tools to help you achieve them. We’ll support you for up to 12 months, and you’ll have the chance to ‘live wild’ for three weeks - a really intensive chance to get away from everything and make some positive decisions about your future.
• Transitions to Independent Living:Although this programme is on hold at the moment, we soon hope to be able work with Foyers, and other agencies all over the UK, to help you if you’re aged 16-25 and have been dealing with homelessness, or if you’d like some support to help you to live more independently. The programme includes a ten day wilderness expedition, where you’ll work with other people who are in a similar situation, and help each other decide on the next steps you want to take in your life.
  

making tracks

• Our ‘Making Tracks’ programmes make use of our ‘mobile unit’.  This is a specially built vehicle and trailer with space for you, up to eleven other participants, five of our staff, and all of the kit and equipment you’ll need to become totally self-sufficient.  The units travel around Scotland, so you’ll be picked up close to where you live. Some of your time with the mobile units will be spent close to home, but the units can also head out into the wilderness, where they become a fully equipped ‘base camp’ with tipis, canoes/kayaks, wetsuits, hiking gear, cooking and climbing equipment (amongst other things).  Here, you’ll be supported to think about your future and any changes you’d like to make, and will also learn tools and skills to help you make these changes a reality. ‘Making Tracks’ programmes currently include:
• Turnaround: A partnership between Turning Point Scotland, APEX and Venture Trust, the Turnaround programme could help you if you’re a young male aged 18-30 who is struggling with substance misuse issues and perhaps getting involved in offending. We work across South West Scotland and in North Strathclyde. This programme involves support from us for up to 12 months, including a week spent with the mobile team.
• 218 / The Willow Project: This programme could be right for you if you’re a woman who’s been involved with either of these projects. These programmes offer you support in a female led and female centred environment, giving you somewhere safe to go to access support for whatever difficulties you’re facing. It will involve 5 days in the wilderness, as well as longer term support from us and other charities.

moving on

• The original ‘Venture Trust experience’, Moving On programmes allow you to take advantage of everything Venture Trust has to offer. You’ll work on a long-term basis with our outreach staff, and have the chance to take part in an intensive residential course, usually at our centre in the North-West Highlands. We’ll help you to think about the future, and help you identify the next step forward for you – whether that’s identifying employment, volunteering or training programmes, getting back into education, or reducing your drug / alcohol use. ‘Moving On’ programmes currently include:
• Inspiring Young Futures: If you are a young person who cares for someone at home, or if you are a young person who is (or has been) in care, this programme can offer you support to think about the direction you want to take in your life to help you work towards your identified goals. It will also help you to meet other young people in similar situations, and to take a break away from your day-to-day environment. It’s for young people aged 16-19 in the following areas: Edinburgh, Dundee, Clackmannan, Glasgow, Inverclyde, North Ayrshire, East Ayrshire, West Lothian and West Dunbarton. The programme includes 5 days with our mobile units (check out the ‘Making Tacks’ section above to see what the mobile units are all about), a ten day residential at our Highland centre and up to 18 months support from your own Positive Destinations Advisor.
• The Personal Development Partnership (PDP): If you’re a young person involved in drug or alcohol use, or if you think you could use some help in dealing with difficult situations, the Junction could help you to take control of the situations you’re dealing with, and to think about ways to manage any problems more effectively. This programme can link you up with a whole range of programmes from Venture Trust, Venture Scotland, The Prince's Trust and Fairbridge, depending on what’s right for you. The PDP could work for you if you’re aged 14-17 (although you’ll only be able to come to Venture Trust if you’re 16+).
• East Ayrshire Programme (currently in testing): During this programme, you’ll be in contact with both Venture Trust and the Barnardo’s AXIS East Ayrshire projects. Together, we’ll help you to tackle problems with alcohol or drug use, as well as any other difficult situations which might be making things harder for you. It might be for you if you’re working with Barnardo’s, are aged 16 or 17, from East Ayrshire, and would like to spend six months working with us, including ten days out in the wilderness.
  

frequently asked questions

how do you get on a course?

If you're aged 16 - 25 and have a social worker or key worker (your 'referrer'), all you need do is tell them you want to come, and why. They'll get in touch with us and help you with the application. When we receive your completed form, someone from Venture Trust will call you and your referrer for a chat.

where will you stay?

Depending on the programme you join, you might be staying in tents and tipis, or at our residential centre in the Highlands. You will definatly be spending time out in the wilderness, and will be cooking for yourself (with our help) for some of the time. Wherever you are, you will be expected to help keep the place clean and tidy.

who else is on the course?

People like you! - people aged 16 to 25 who want to make changes in their lives. During your stay you'll share a bedroom, tent or tipi with up to three other people. Our staff will help you all to get to know one another at the begining of the course, and there will be plently of opportunities to chat to young people in similar situations to yourself.

what will you be doing?

You'll face a variety of gentle challenges that will help you develop in important areas of your life, like being confident, motivated, looking after yourself, and getting along with others. You might be canoeing, climbing, abseiling, hillwalking, gorge walking, coasteering, conserving, constructing, crafting or painting. You'll definitely be problem-solving and teaming. You'll go on wilderness journeys that involve staying in tents or shelters. And each day you'll have a review where you'll find out more about yourself and the others.

what if you have to leave early?

Before coming out on a programme you sign an agreement committing yourself to the full course. However, we realise there are times when people, for various reasons, have to leave early. In these cases we work with your referrer to help get you home.

what are the conditions of attendance?

They're simple: no drugs, no alcohol, no theft, no threatening/violent behaviour, and no exclusive/sexual relationships. They are there for everybody's safety and development. If you choose not to keep them, you may be sent home. So before you come on a course you should think seriously about your ability to live within these conditions.

what about your benefits?

You'll still get benefits while on the course, but as soon as you've been offered a place you must visit your benefits office to sign form JSA 460. We'll send your referrer information about this, and they'll give you any help you need.

what should you bring?

Our programmes are run in some of the wettest places in the U.K., and even in summer it can be cold in the mountains, so it's important to try and bring everything on the clothing list that will be sent to you. You might need time to find or borrow things, so don't leave it to the last minute. If you can't get some things, give us a ring and we'll try to help out. We do supply all your outdoor kit, including boots, waterproofs and equipment. There's no network coverage for mobile phones, and MP3 players/ipods aren't allowed during sessions.