This project focused on young people with significant learning and mental health needs who are not currently in either education and training, bringing them back into a low-key educational environment with carer and sibling support to work in small, supported groups.  The courses

improved social skills, confidence and teamwork.  There were new friendships made with teenagers who are in a similar situation, and the feedback from parents was phenomenal.  

Since the  Pandemic there has been a huge rise in young people, particularly teenagers, not in education or training. UHI Orkney continually offers a number of successful Inclusive Practice courses for young people with significant learning and mental health needs, and this has proved to be another very successful group of sessions.  The young people and their carers had such a positive experience,e and it helped to re-engage young people with their own Orcadian history and heritage and give them practical skills which are highly valued in the community.

Two quotes from parents.

Parent 1 - I have to say that child x absolutely loved the opportunity and by the end of the course was even beginning to speak a little to the other students. Kerrianne was an amazing tutor who really allowed the students to explore their creative side and was always happy to help. It has been a wonderful opportunity, and we would most definitely love to do this sort of activity for her again. Thank you so much for organising it!

Parent 2 – The impact the furniture course has had for chid z is huge, not only in his confidence, but by making a new friend also.  He has had a very challenging few years since attending the Grammar School, which has been really tough on his confidence, but being involved in these amazing opportunities, he comes away feeling super proud of himself.  Thank you to all for giving him the opportunity.

We have had a wealth of positive feedback on the impact of these types of courses, in particular, the ‘teenager’ age group.  Being able to work together to provide inclusive, fun and practical sessions for these youngsters is invaluable to their future learning.  We already have families asking when the next ones will be and look forward to hopefully being able to offer more in the not too distant future. 

Working together with both the College and the money from the culture fund has allowed us to plan sessions that we wouldn’t of been able to do ourselves.  We are always looking for new and inclusive ways to help our families try new things in a fun way and the positive feedback from these sessions has been invaluable.