What do we do at Venture Trust, and who do we work with? This is Mark’s story… Mark’s life had been chaotic. He’d been dealt some of life’s toughest challenges – losing his wife and his father, ending up sleeping rough and entangled in substance misuse, and moving in and out of the prison system. … Read more
Venture Trust’s Clinical Manager, Katarina Horrox, and Area Hub Manager, Mark Rae highlight the impact Outdoor Therapy can have on our minds and bodies. Research shows that when we feel good we are neurobiologically primed to be more compassionate and generous towards ourselves and others. Research also shows that when we actively practice compassion and … Read more
This article was first published in the Scotsman in April 2022. When do we get the chance to safely make mistakes and explore the ways we behave towards getting what we want? When do we get the chance to explore who we are and how we should interact with the world around us? Free from … Read more
May brings not only the hope of coming summer, but national walking month. Every year organizations and individuals celebrate national walking month by getting outside and encouraging others to do the same. Whether on urban pavements or through leafy parks, walking month is about getting out there and giving walking a go. The benefits of … Read more
Laurence was in a harmful cycle of problem substance use and time spent in prison. Prompted by lockdown 2020 and turning 40, Laurence began to reevaluate his life and decided it was time he create positive change. He was referred to our Living Wild programme, designed for people with experience in the criminal justice … Read more
Employability course Change Cycle gives young people bikes to help their mental health
At Venture Trust, the people we work with have faced extreme adversity and need to overcome many barriers in life to reach their potential. One of those barriers is looking after their mental health whilst experiencing other difficulties in life. To ask for help takes courage, and we continue to be inspired by those who … Read more
Scottish charity Venture Trust is launching the Scotland’s first dedicated outdoor therapy service. The mental health service will see trained therapists harness the power of the outdoors to support some of Scotland’s most vulnerable young people, adults, and veterans. The Outdoor Therapy service will involve a ‘walk and talk’ approach to therapy delivered by qualified … Read more
What happens when for almost a year people are required to stay apart, to limit social contact and communicate largely via digital channels – if they have the means to do so? The lack of interaction encourages people to become introverted and can lead to increased social anxiety. It also cuts them off from opportunities … Read more
Declan was living in homeless accommodation, suffering from poor mental health and unemployed. Following a Venture Trust presentation at the Mungo Foundation Project, Declan was referred to the Inspiring Young Futures programme. The programme offers regular community-based outreach support wrapped around a Wilderness Journey usually in the highlands of Scotland. Through intensive learning and … Read more
Keep in touch with what's going on at Venture Trust, read inspiring stories about our participants, and find out how you can get involved in supporting us.
