Youth and Philanthropy Initiative (YPI)
Looking for a local charity to support?
If you are taking part in the Youth and Philanthropy Initiative (YPI) and want to support a local charity that is changing young lives, we’d love to hear from you.
In Edinburgh, we work with young people aged 16 to 30 who are facing challenges in their lives. Through outdoor experiences and continued support, we help them build confidence, understand themselves better, and feel more hopeful about the future.
Venture Scotland was founded in 1987 by young volunteers who saw the positive impact that nature and outdoor spaces can have on mental health and wellbeing.
Since then, we have developed an adventure-based programme which uses Scotland’s natural environment to support personal growth. Activities can include rock climbing, canoeing, and gorge walking.
Alongside these experiences, we also provide mentoring and ongoing support to help young people make positive, lasting changes in their lives.
Today, we work with approximately 100 people each year, helping them improve their wellbeing, grow in confidence, and feel more connected to their communities.
The Need
Across Scotland, many young people face challenges such as anxiety, low self-esteem, and difficulties recovering from addiction.
Venture Scotland supports young people through a structured programme that helps them grow in confidence, resilience, and independence.
It begins with the Challenge Programme, where participants take part in outdoor activities such as climbing and canoeing, building confidence and resilience through new experiences.
They then move on to the Discover Programme, where they develop new skills, greater independence, and a stronger sense of identity.
Finally, the Next Steps stage focuses on the future. Young people work one-to-one with an Outreach and Support worker for around three months, receiving personalised guidance to set goals, overcome barriers, and move forward positively.
Through this journey, young people build confidence, improve their wellbeing, and feel better prepared for the next stage of their lives.
How can you help?
A £3,000 YPI grant could make a real and lasting difference to the work of Venture Scotland.
This funding could help to:
- Support residential trips, such as visits to Etive Bothy, where young people can spend time away in nature and build confidence.
- Fund outdoor activities that help young people develop resilience, teamwork, and self-belief.
- Cover travel costs so young people can attend sessions and access the support they need.
- Support trained staff who provide mentoring, guidance, and ongoing encouragement throughout the programme.
By choosing Venture Scotland, you would be helping young people step beyond their comfort zones, believe in themselves, and look to the future with greater confidence.
Find out more:
To help with your presentation, we’ve created a YPI information pack with useful facts about Venture Scotland and the impact your support could have.
You can also read stories from young people who have taken part in our programmes to see how Venture Scotland has helped them build confidence and make positive changes in their lives.
If you have any questions or would like more information, please get in touch with our team via fundraising@venturescotland.org.uk.
We’d also be happy to send Venture Scotland t-shirts to help you showcase your chosen charity in school.