Words by Smiley Team
Transporting troubled young people from Essex to the side of a Scottish mountain to help them address their difficulties may seem like a radical approach.
But it’s one that Jo Roberts, the CEO of the Wilderness Foundation, finds to be both extremely rewarding and effective.
Jo leads the charity’s TurnAround project, where vulnerable young people who have gone through issues including bereavement, domestic violence, abuse and trauma take part in a year long adventure, mentoring and wellbeing programme.
The group start with a week long expedition to the Scottish Highlands, where, led by trained guides, they camp out, cook their own meals, trek across stunning countryside and go wild swimming in lakes.
The aim is for the young people in the group to develop skills like confidence, teamwork, problem solving and to work on emotional and personal issues with plenty of adult support.
Jo said: “I think the wild is magic.The wilderness areas we work in are so beautiful, they bring awe and wonder, but they also bring silence and space.
“And for many people their lives are grey and drab. We put young people on the side of a mountain where you can see forever, and it’s just awesome.”
After returning from Scotland the young people on the programme have access to 12 months of weekly mentoring sessions along with email and phone support, and monthly workshops which focus on things like getting into work or training and changing negative behaviour.
There are also opportunities for volunteering in their local community and work experience placements.
The project has been running for 10 years, and research from the University of Essex has shown that 90 percent of young people who have taken part say their emotional wellbeing has improved, and 83 percent have gone on to further education, training or work.
Jo said: “The essence of people really comes out in wild places. You stop worrying about things that don’t matter anymore. That’s what nature does for us.”
It costs the charity around £35,000 per year to run this project for 25 young people, and they need donations to help it to continue.
See wildernessfoundation.org.uk for more information.
By Jenna Sloan
