TurnAround initially takes young people out of their urban environment and, after some introductory sessions and seminars from professional wilderness facilitators, gets them out into the wilds of Scotland where, with trained guides and our facilitators, they can learn to appreciate the environment, work as a team and learn to do things for themselves.
Taking time to reflect in splendid isolation
On return, they enter a programme of monthly workshops as a group, supported by mentors and Wilderness Foundation UK staff. During this time, they have weekly face-to-face meetings with their mentor and may have other contact by telephone, email or other means where there is a need. They are also encouraged to become involved in community volunteering and work experience placements, provided by local charities, national bodies, local government and businesses.
Stone Carving and Canoeing - All New Experiences
Towards the end of their year, the participants have the chance to undertake a second wilderness trail, by which point they will have gained sufficient skills and self-esteem to be able to undertake the challenge unsupported.
The final phase of the programme is Graduation, where participants, families, mentors, supporters and youth workers all come together in a day of celebration, recognises the hurdles overcome and the achievements made. For many of our participants, this will include the award of various forms of certificated accreditation that has been earned during the course of the programme, including but not limited to:
- Trident Skills for Life Certificates;
- Trident Community Involvement Certificate;
- The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Certificate of Prior Learning (Skills and Physical Recreation Sections);
- The Essex Arts Award and
- The Essex Youth Award.
