The Wilderness Foundation UK is delighted to announce the appointment of Helen Payne, who has taken up the new post of Project Coordinator – TurnAround.

Helen comes from a strong youth engagement background and is also a proven instructor in the fields of leadership, mentoring and personal development.

TurnAround was launched by the Wilderness Foundation UK in October 2007. It is a multi-faceted, nature based programme enabling vulnerable young people to make positive changes to their lives. This is achieved by linking community mentors, wilderness therapy, skills workshops and support for employment and further education over a twelve month period.

The participants share a variety of social and personal problems. Several have had lives that already include drug and alcohol abuse, dropping out from school, family breakdown, youth offending orders, low confidence and poor self esteem.

What unites them is the fact that they have all signed and agreed contracts to work towards learning how to take on personal responsibility, and are committed to the programme, and want to work as a group towards personal change. They are supported by parents, social workers and probation officers, and a target for the project is to keep families and key workers up-to-date.

Helen said:

“I’m very much looking forward to joining the Wilderness Foundation UK.   Their approach to relieving social disadvantage and addressing the pressing issue of disengaged youth without focus or positive outlook by using connectedness to nature is both innovative and inspirational.   I can’t wait to get started.”