JULY 2^nd- 25^th 2007

At the beginning of July I travelled across the “Bealach na Ba” - the highest pass in the U.K. to the beautiful west coast highland hamlet of Applecross. My mission was to volunteer as a work placement on one of Venture Trust’s 3 week development programmes. With no mobile signal, an awesome coastline, the picturesque Cullin Ridge as a skyline and some quality friendly staff. I knew I was in for a good time!

We began with two days course preparation. With all the activities planned and development systems to implement I felt like I had climbed aboard a roller coaster ride. Not sure what to expect, I was feeling excited and nervous awaiting the imminent arrival of the participants so we could push out of the station. The young people all met in Inverness and travelled together across Scotland for their “chance to change”. Once the safety bar was in situ (boundaries put in place so we could all stay on the rails, be safe and have fun) we were off.

The first ‘dip’ was an exciting gorge walk, most of us still gripping tight to the carriage; a few nervous laughs and we were flying sideways , hiking across a hill to the beautiful Sands beach for three days at a Tipi camp we set up together. On we raced to a 4 day sea kayak expedition out from Toscaig, camping at Uags. Paddling around the Crowlin Islands seeing puffins, purpoise and seals galore. Then for the final ‘loop’ – a six day canoe expedition down the river Spey. In the midst of these expeditions we had the chance to climb, abseil, snorkel, fish and be creative. I guess these activities were like the tracks on the roller coaster – something for us to run along. “Mechanical systems” are required to haul the carriage uphill and keep us moving. These ‘mechanics’ involve everyone having the opportunity through small group work, 1:1 sessions, team building exercises, reflective solos, feedback, aim setting and discussions to take a step back(but not from the cleaning, folks!), look at how we are reacting/behaving and wonder if that is how we really want to be.

Making changes in ourselves is a tough job but that is what we have signed up for and what Venture Trusts ethos is all about – striving to ensure all participants develop their skills to help them maintain any changes they wish to make. Before we pull into the final station APEX pays us a visit offering personalised employability training, back up and ongoing support.

The final ‘fling’ – a pier jump- symbolic of how we are going to have to dig deep and be courageous as we jump off the safe ground into more unpredictable waters.

What a privilege and a challenge to have had the opportunity to experience this particular roller coaster ride- I think I’d like to rejoin the queue!