Building Confidence in young people to enter the world of work: Lauren’s story

“Since joining Venture Trust I feel like the future is getting a lot better for me”   The transition from school to college, training, or work is a significant moment in any young person’s life.  New environments, people and challenges can be daunting and often call for the development of new skills to ease this transition. Venture Trust works with young people so they can build the skills … Read more

A Time for Sharing: Taking a whole-person approach to information

Written by Andrew Russell – Head of Programme Performance and Impact at Venture Trust Christmas: a time for sharing, for goodwill to all, and for charity appeals seeking vital support. It’s a time for generosity, giving and receiving. This year, it’s not just monetary generosity we are hoping people will share. What we are really wishing for, is the sharing of information.   Scotland … Read more

Venture Trust winter fundraising campaign, #WalkToTalk

This year Venture Trust launched #WalkToTalk, a winter fundraising campaign to encourage our supporters to get outside and stay connected over the winter months. Winter can be a challenging time with darker days and Scotland’s weather often putting people off getting out. For many, this time of year results in poorer mental health, greater isolation, … Read more

Next Steps to a brighter future: Jinty’s story out of criminal justice

“I’m looking forward to the next step in my future, whatever that may be. I know it will be a lot better than my past”.  Jeannette ‘Jinty’ Dobson was introduced to Venture Trust through involvement in the criminal justice system. She describes her life at that point as rock bottom – a survivor of domestic abuse and sexual violence, Jinty experienced suicidal thoughts … Read more

Invest in young people and we shall reap the rewards – Fraser Taylor

Young people in Scotland have been disproportionally impacted by Covid-19. This includes increased mental health or wellbeing concerns, increased loneliness and isolation and lack of access to support services and activities. Added to this, young people have borne the brunt of the jobs crisis that has arisen during the past 18 months.       Sectors predominantly staffed by younger workers, such as the arts and entertainment industries, as well as the food … Read more

BOTHY BOOK BLOG: Scottish Sentencing Council Take Trauma-Informed Approach to Sentencing Young People

Written by John Scott, QC Solicitor Advocate  The High Court approved the Scottish Sentencing Council’s sentencing young people guideline, which distils the High Court’s guidance, together with the findings of a wide range of research on offending by young people, into a concise and accessible document.  Our sentencers – judges, sheriffs, and justices of the … Read more

Men’s Mental Health Month: A poem on homelessness

For Men’s Mental Health Month, Venture Trust asked some of our delivery partners to discuss men’s mental health and the experience of those they work with. Blue Triangle Association (BTA) support vulnerable people experiencing homelessness or at risk of being made homeless by providing safe and secure accommodation. Venture Trust work with Blue Triangle to identify people that would benefit from our … Read more

Men’s Mental Health Month: A veteran’s mental health journey

Venture Trust’s Positive Futures course is specifically for ex-Service men and women who may have a wealth of experience and skills, but who are finding it difficult to transition fully into civilian life or are struggling with maintaining a civilian focussed identity. Shaun was referred to our Positive Futures programme in 2016 for support with anxiety … Read more

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