40 Years of Venture Trust

October 2022 marked an important milestone for Venture Trust – our 40th birthday. Over the years, we’ve helped thousands of people to make positive changes in their lives. To celebrate, we’ve decided to reflect on where we came from, and where we are now, by sharing the history of Venture Trust. Where we came from Early … Read more

Veterans Foundation gives £30,000 in Funding to Support our Outdoor Therapy Service

We want to say a massive thank you to the Veterans Foundation for their generous donation of £30,000! This grant will allow us to support even more veterans in their transition to civilian life through our Outdoor Therapy service. Our Outdoor therapy service combines the full range of benefits that time spent in nature and the outdoors provides with professional therapy to improve … Read more

Outdoor Therapy Helping Young People and Veterans to Reconnect

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

From Outdoors to Labour Market – Giving young people across Europe chance to dream of all they can be, by Simon White

 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

Laurence’s story: ‘Living Wild’ can create a peaceful life

  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

Harnessing the power of nature to tackle Scotland’s looming mental health crisis.

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

‘Outer Peace’: Venture Trust interviewed by MyOutdoors.co.uk

We are proud to announce we are partnering with global design and outdoor equipment company Arc’teryx Equipment to deliver improved mental, emotional and physical health for some of Scotland’s most vulnerable people through the power of the outdoors. With this investment we will be able to support more people to improve mental health and wellbeing by connecting … Read more

Lockdown has led to ‘social skill fade’ for many – Mike Strang

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

Lost in the wild to find yourself: experiencing homelessness and unemployment, Declan builds skills towards a brighter future.

  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

Venture Trust looking forward after a challenging year

It has been a hugely challenging year for our participants, staff and the wider network of partners and funders we work with. However, it has been inspiring to see the response from organisations and the people working to make Scotland a safer, more equal and healthier country. COVID-19 has had a disproportionate effect on people … Read more

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