Inspiring Young Futures
Key information
Age range: 16-19
Location: Edinburgh, Dundee, Clackmannan, Glasgow, Inverclyde, North Ayrshire, East Ayrshire, East Lothian, Perth and Kinross and West Lothian
Who it's for: Young people who've been in care, and those with caring responsibilities
This programme encourages participants to think about what they would like to achieve, and helps them work towards their goals.
Specifically designed for young people with caring responsibilities, and those leaving local authority care, the programme provides an opportunity for young people to meet others in a similar situation, and to take a break away from their usual environments.
The programme includes 12-18 months of support: participants have the support of a dedicated one-to-one worker (Positive Destinations Adviser) who is there to respect and listen. Community activity days open up opportunities to meet a positive group of peers before embarking on a journey into Scotland's wilderness - all designed to help participants develop new skills and realise their potential. Ongoing support enables participants to consolidate their new skills, boost confidence, motivation and aspirations, and reach out to other local opportunities such as education, employment and training.
Participants are achieving even more than we’d hoped:
- Over 75% of participants improving their confidence and becoming more employable.
- Nine in ten young people are more connected to services in their communities after taking part, and have also improved relationships with friends, family, and others around them.
- During 2010/11, 130 young people from the programme progressed into positive destinations – employment, education, training and voluntary work.
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Posted in Participant storiesMy life would not be the same if I hadn't got involved with VT
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Posted in Participant storiesWilliam: Onwards and Upwards
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Posted in Participant storiesSee that there low point, it goes up. And that’s how I feel today.
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Posted in FilmsSee 'Inspiring Young Futures' in action
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Posted in NewsVT young people inform the Life Changes Trust
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Posted in Participant storiesMy PDA helped my confidence
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Posted in Participant storiesI learnt that you can get on with anybody
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Posted in Films, NewsVenture Trust features in the Guardian Christmas Appeal
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Posted in Participant storiesIt was totally worth it
Funding partners
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Inspiring Scotland are a Venture Philanthopy organisation, supporting our Inspiring Young Futures programme over a period of 8 years.
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The European Social Fund provide programmatic support for a number of our programmes across Scotland.
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The Agnes Hunter Trust funds charities that assist with the education and training of disadvantaged people or with youth development projects
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Edinburgh Airport's Community Fund are helping young people on the IYF programme work towards nationally recognised qualifications.
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The Gannochy Trust support our Inspiring Young Futures programme in Dundee.
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Hilton in the Community Foundation help keep one of our mobile vehicles on the road and supporting young people.
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HSBC's Future First programme supports young people who have been in care via our Inspiring Young Futures programme.
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Sofronie is a privately-funded grant-making foundation supporting work with children and young people from disadvantaged backgrounds in the UK and overseas.
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The Volant Charitable Trust supports charities and projects that alleviate social deprivation, with a particular emphasis on women’s and children’s issues. They support our Inspiring Young Futures programme.
If you 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, we'll call you and your referrer for a chat. Alternatively, just give us a call directly, and we'll help you to get involved.
