Outward Bound in Scotland

COVID-19 has touched every part of our lives. But for many young Scots, the stark reality is, that without your help, they may never shake these 12 months off and realise what they are capable of.

2020 was a year like no other. The decline in confidence and hope was almost as fast as the increase in mental health concerns. 2021 is the year to bring positive change. You can give our young people the skills they need to bounce back and tackle their future with belief and optimism.

Life is limited right now. But the future for young people in Scotland shouldn't be. You can change this.

COVID-19 has touched every part of our lives. But for many young Scots, the stark reality is, that without your help, they may never shake these 12 months off and realise what they are capable of.

You can help them defy their limitations.

Here's the situation...

We're not here to fill you with facts. The challenges facing young Scots are well publicised (we like the Scottish Government and Youth Link Scotland for news and updates). But wherever you look, the data, analysis and reports consistently show that COVID-19 is causing big problems for young people in these key areas:

Mental health and wellbeing
Physical exercise and wellbeing
Young people's rights and participation
Children with vulnerabilities
Education, learning and employment

And a solution...

Be under no illusion. Young people who don't get help will suffer. And not just in the short term. Without support to move on from this pandemic, the implications will be carried throughout their lives. You can protect, nurture and build a positive future for young Scots. Together we can:

Support young people in their local community
With no barriers to participation
Building vital life skills and mental wellbeing
And encouraging a love for the outdoors
All by providing learning and adventure opportunities that can't be replicated in the classroom or at home

Why Outward Bound?

Young people go on a journey of self-discovery at Outward Bound. Their adventures on the lochs, mountains and seas close to Loch Eil push them out of their comfort zone. And our instructors then help them realise the skills they are learning are skills for life. From self-belief and resilience to wellbeing and teamwork. In our wilderness classrooms they learn the most important lesson ever: to believe in themselves.

Children and young people across all 32 local authorities within Scotland want to come to Outward Bound - from rural communities to inner-cities. We target young people aged 10 to 19, to help them realise that they are capable of #morethanyouthink.

You can make this happen

You can support young scots

You can help young people to defy their limitations and realise they're capable of more. Donate today and your gift will mean disadvantaged young Scots can attend a life-changing Outward Bound programme in 2021.

A gift of £5,000 would enable an entire classroom of 30 pupils to take part in a life-changing Outward Bound residential at Loch Eil this year - or an instructor travel to a Scottish school to deliver a week of In-School Adventures.

You can show them what's possible

How your business can help

Your business can directly help young people recover, reconnect and rebuild after COVID-19. We'll work with you to make sure our partnership is mutually beneficial, connecting with your CSR strategy, building sustainable relationships in your local community and showcasing you as an aspirational employer.

Most importantly you'll be giving disadvantaged young people a gift for life. Increasing their self-belief, resilience and ability to trust in others.

You have the power to make a difference

Yes I will help - what shall we ask them to do? Maybe fill in a form?

Working with young people post-covid

Between August-December 2020 we worked with over 4000 young people across the UK. Because we couldn't run our usual residential programmes, we adapted. And as most young people couldn't travel to our centres, we had to go to them!

We wanted to know how beneficial our adapted programmes were to young people. We'll be honest, we didn't know the answer. But the results took even us by surprise. Download our Impact Report to see for yourself.

Download our post-COVID Impact Report

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