Venture On to Recovery

Venture on to recovery

In 2022, we received funding from the Scottish Government’s National Drugs  Mission Funds (administered by the CORRA Foundation) to launch our Venture On to Recovery programme—a transformative 12-week personal development initiative designed for the Glasgow recovery community. We deliver 3 of these programme per year and you will participate with peers in groups of 10.  

 

We now have funding for this programme until August 2027 so if this programme interests you, please get in touch (see below for more information). 

Programme Summary

Together with our programme partners, Move On and Elevate Glasgow, we give individuals in recovery the chance to: 

  • experience the restorative benefits of the outdoors through participation in adventurous activities
  • build on their social and emotional intelligence  
  • identify skills and qualities
  • consider aims in life and set goals
  • realise and maximise their potential
  • enhance employment prospects 
  • create positive lasting change in their lives

Roles of each Partner

Elevate Glasgow is the main referral partner. Once you participate in Venture On, you will be registered with Elevate who will continue to provide one-to-one support and connect you with further opportunities after the programme. 

 

Move On delivers weekly personal development workshops to give participants the chance to gain SQA qualifications as well as practice job searches and mock interviews, conflict resolution, problem solving, time management and presentation skills. 

 

Venture Scotland delivers weekly outdoor activities including canoeing, climbing and hillwalking, as well as bothy residentials set over three/five days in remote and beautiful locations to build confidence, trust and improve communication skills. In addition, we include emotional awareness skills sessions to gain tools to understand emotions, communicate them effectively and give participants ways to maintain positive relationships in their lives.

Programme Structure

Pre-programme You will attend an information session to find out more about the course and meet the team, complete an application form and have an informal interview to make sure Venture On is the right programme for you at this time. 

  

Introduction day – This is when everyone comes together (participants, staff and volunteers) for the first time. You’ll meet your group, play ice-breakers games, complete a medical form and try on the outdoor gear you will need for the programme.  

 

Weeks 1-2 Two days with Venture Scotland doing team building activities and one day at Move On working on SQA qualifications and employability skills. 

 

Week 3 A 3-day residential to a remote bothy with your group with Venture Scotland. 

 

Weeks 4-6 Two days with Venture Scotland doing team building activities and one day at Move On working on SQA qualifications and employability skills. 

 

Week 7 A day out visiting FareShare with MoveOn plus a volunteering residential to Scottish Wood with Venture Scotland. 

 

Weeks 8-9 Two days with Venture Scotland doing team building activities and one day at Move On working on SQA qualifications and employability skills. 

 

Week 10A 4-day bothy residential to Venture Scotland’s bothy in Glen Etive. 

 

Weeks 11-12 Two days with Venture Scotland doing team building activities and one day at Move On working on SQA qualifications and employability skills.  

 

Week 13 Celebration event where friends and family are invited to listen to what you have achieved and your experiences. 

 

Post programmeMove On will provide you with five weeks of aftercare to support you to identify and make positive next steps on their journey. 

Participant Experiences

"An experience that has left me feeling like a renewed, better version of myself. I believe in myself because of this experience. I will hold the time with Venture Scotland in my heart and memories for the rest of my life, and I will happily continue to tell the world and his granny how fantastic this time in my life was. Thank you!"
“This course has been great for me. Before coming on the course, I had very little confidence and hope for the future. Now, I feel I have regained my self-esteem and drive for life. The course made me realise my positive attributes and that they still belong to me. I am not just an addict; I am a capable human being. I can achieve what I set my mind to do.”
“The best thing I've ever done. It was the right thing for me at the right time. I was 6 months sober (now over 8 months) and ready to find out more about myself, be honest and open, work on myself. I felt these factors gave me the most value from the project” 
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Interested?

If you’re interested in the Venture on to Recovery programme, please contact Kat by emailing kat.jackson@venturescotland.org.uk or calling 07496 494 697.