A charity for a national park is assisting youth to gain greater knowledge and understanding of a critical aspect of Scotland’s natural environment.

The Friends of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs, an independent conservation and heritage charity, have been awarded a grant from West Dunbartonshire Council’s Year of Young People Legacy Fund. This has enabled them to work with local youth groups and provide outdoor activities for 156 young people aged 9-17.

Activities have included bushcraft skills, weaselling, canoeing, paddleboarding, climbing, archery and hill-walking, as well as the opportunity to take part in positive practical action such as litter-picking. These activities have been organised in collaboration with Ardroy Outdoor Education Centre, West End Adventure, In Your Element, Blairvadach Outdoor Education Centre and also the Bird of Prey Centre.

Ryan Waddell, youth worker from Tullochan, said of a recent trip to Blairvadach OEC at Loch Lomond, “the group all had a great time, we got to do great activities as well as learn about the Loch and some of its islands”.

Jennifer Plunkett, Project Support Officer with the Friends, said, “It has been so worthwhile and rewarding to work with local youth groups and to know that so many young people have benefitted from getting out and about in the National Park to learn about nature whilst also trying out new activities and having fun at the same time. This has only been possible with the funding received from West Dunbartonshire Council. I would like to thank everyone involved in making these trips and activities a reality”.

Thanks to a grant from West Dunbartonshire Council’s Year of Young People Legacy Fund, the Friends of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs have been able to co-ordinate outdoor events for young people from several youth groups in the West Dunbartonshire area. This has enabled 156 people between the ages of 9-17 to experience a variety of activities that have been both fun and educational. Feedback from participants and youth leaders has been overwhelmingly positive.

Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *