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Youth Mentors Group Update Feb09
At present we are fundraising to enable the group to take part in an expedition they will never forget, we are hoping to travel up to Fort William and set off into the wilderness for a week. We will begin with two days of sea kayaking on the northwest coast, setting off from Arisaig Bay, visiting Princes Cairn and finishing at Loch Ailort, this will be followed by two days walking in the hills near Loch Morar and Glenfinnan and a final day sea kayaking along Loch Eil, this will take us back to where we started and we will then return to Edinburgh by train the following day.
The group are very excited at the prospect of completing an expedition of this nature and have therefore begun coming up with fundraising ideas, the first of which is a letter to local businesses asking them to donate towards their ventures. If you are able to help the youngsters with a donation of any size, please see the letter, written by some members of the group that is located in the reports section of the website. We have also submitted funding bids to three trust funds that would help cover the basic needs of such a trip, though these bids are by no means definite. If we were to secure major trust funding, any other funds raised would be put to good use to help expand the current programme, allowing us to take part in more activities. If we were not lucky enough to secure major funding, then a less expensive expedition will be arranged more locally.
For more information about what we've been getting up to click here.
Click here for the groups letter requesting local business donations.
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GRANT AWARDED TO CRAIGMILLAR ADVENTURE PROJECT
This grant will support a ‘Youth Leaders’ Peer Mentoring Group. The young people come from the Greater Craigmillar area, the majority of this area includes Craigmillar and Niddrie. The project is working closely with Castlebrae High School and local primary schools via The Craigmillar Youth Challenge.
Capro have employed a senior youth worker to oversee this project as well as a youth worker. We are also very grateful to the voluntary youth worker from Castlebrae High School who will be heavily involved with the project.
The programme will enhance self-esteem, confidence and self-worth as well as offering an alternative activity for these young people, diverting them away from getting involved in anti-social activities. The programme is also designed to improve the young people’s emotional resilience.
10 young people are now involved with the project and we are currently working through a structured mentoring programme to enable them to mentor the younger age group who will take part in the Easter and Summer break CYC outings.
Whilst being involved with this project all members will have the chance to complete a Duke of Edinburgh Award and a Youth Achievement Award as well as various other outdoor related accreditation. The individuals have a chance to try out and gain a wealth of knowledge in a range of outdoor activities, this may eventually lead to further accreditation and allow these youngsters to help Capro with outdoor activity sessions in the future.
After the initial 12 months we aim to run a 6 month transition period to help those of school leaving age to develop interview skills and find college or work placements.
The Cashback award will enable Capro to offer a substantial program of activities for the children and youths of Craigmillar over the coming 12 months and will also allow us to train up this group of motivated mentors to help them with their futures.