Venture Trust

Looking for the ultimate adrenalin rush?

The 160ft Bungee Jump takes place at Glasgow’s Riverside Museum, less than 10 minute drive from the city centre. As you travel the 160ft height you will enjoy the views of the surrounding areas including the Glasgow Harbour.

As you reach the top you will have a few seconds to prepare before hearing the famous countdown “3, 2, 1, Bungee!” and then… it’s up to you!

Visit our 'adrenaline challenges' to find out more: https://runforcharity.com/venture-trust/scotland-events

We're open for referrals! 📢

If you or someone you're working with could benefit from person centred and trauma informed support, we deliver:

🌱 Personal development programmes
🌱 Employability courses
🌱 Outdoor Therapy Service

📍Delivered in localities across Scotland

🌳Taking place indoors and outdoors, in local communities and Scotland's wilder places

Learn more and make a referral here: www.venturetrust.org.uk

Are you at a place in life where you could benefit from Outdoor Therapy?

The outdoors can be a great catalyst for exploring emotions, talking through past experiences, and identifying ways to move forward. Outdoor Therapy can help us connect to nature and use this to support our healing journey.

Our Outdoor Therapy service is open to referrals across a number of areas in Scotland. If you're from one of the areas below and think you could benefit from sessions of free, confidential Outdoor Therapy - make a referral today.

- Fife for those aged 16-24
- East Ayrshire, Glasgow, North Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, South Ayrshire and South Lanarkshire for those aged 16+

To learn more or make a referral, visit our website: https://www.venturetrust.org.uk/programmes/outdoor-therapy/

To celebrate International Day of Charity, why not support Venture Trust to empower vulnerable people to build brighter futures. Your support allows us to provide life-changing programmes to help people overcome challenges, develop essential life skills, and reintegrate into society, creating lasting positive change for them and their communities. Make a difference today!

“This experience has been life changing. Not just life changing for me, but for my 17-year-old son, my mum, my neighbours and my community. What you have given me will remain with me forever and I am truly grateful.”

To donate, follow the link: https://ow.ly/uZ9B50TaVSz

Let’s take a look back at our 3 ‘Challenge Gav’ challenges so far!

In case you missed it, we’ve been giving our Fundraising Manager, Gav, a host of outrageous and hilarious challenges – partly to keep us entertained – but most importantly, so we can raise money to support our work in the outdoors, changing peoples lives for the better.

Challenge 1 – Eat a Chilli 🌶️
Challenge 2 – Teach Mac the dog a cool trick 🐶
Challenge 3 – Ice bucket 🧊

Keep your eyes peeled for Challenge 4 where Gav will be washing cars and bikes for colleagues. What should challenge 5 be??

Big thank you to everyone who has donated so far. If you would like to add a donation, visit our fundraiser: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/challengegav?utm_medium=campaign&utm_content=campaign%2Fchallengegav&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=pfp-share

🪴 We are hiring in Greater Glasgow! 🪴

We have an exciting opportunity for a new Outreach and Support Worker to join our locality team supporting individuals in Greater Glasgow!

We are looking for someone who is caring, dynamic and driven, dedicated to levelling the playing field and equipping people with the tools they need to thrive. You’ll be comfortable and confident working autonomously, working alongside people with complex lives.

Does this sound like you? For more info, and to apply please visit: https://ow.ly/zoHs50T34YR

Have you ever wanted to walk on Fire?

Venture Trust supporters have the chance to join us on the 20th of November in Glasgow with Blaze Firewalking. Firewalking is the ultimate way to face your fears and you will feel invincible afterwards!

Registration is only £25 and you will have the opportunity to raise vital funds for Venture Trust. Use the link: https://forms.office.com/e/8z0L86K9rq to sign up!

There's still time to apply to lead our charity as Board Chairperson.

We're looking for a dynamic individual who can contribute, share their expertise, and ideally engage their network to broaden and deepen support for Venture Trust. An affinity with our work, supporting people in their development to overcome life challenges, is essential.

Closing date August 30th 📆

To apply, visit: https://www.venturetrust.org.uk/opportunities/

Do you want to develop a nature-based therapeutic practice?

We’re bringing Venture Trust's 40 years’ experience of working in the outdoors to you through our Outdoor Therapy Training. Showing mental health professionals the practical skills and understanding needed to utilise their outdoor environment to support the people they work with.

We will explore:
• Introduction to Good Practice
• Theory
• Boundaries outdoors
• Our own relationship with nature
• Tools and resources
• Working with metaphor
.and much more.

Join us on the 6th and 7th of September in Edinburgh to take the next step on your outdoor therapy journey. For more information email [email protected] or visit: https://www.venturetrust.org.uk/outdoortherapytraining/

It's your turn to grab your kilts Edinburgh! The mighty Kiltwalk will take off in Edinburgh on Sunday 15 September🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Don't miss out on your chance to take part in one of Scotland's biggest challenge events and raise vital money for Venture Trust.

There's an option for a 20-mile 'Mighty Stride', 11-mile 'Big Stroll' or you can go on a 5 mile 'Wee Wander'. Bring friends and family of all ages and fitness levels, and your dog can join in the fun too!

Click the link to sign up: https://ow.ly/QHSA50T23S3

If you’re thinking about signing up to the Motherwell Inflatable 5k, sign up today before registration closes!

This is definitely one of the most exhilarating and fun challenge events out there with 32 gigantic obstacles to conquer.

You’ll also be raising vital money for Venture Trust which will go towards our personal development programmes for people going through difficult life challenges.

Register now to take part in the Inflatable 5k in Motherwell on the 24th August. Or you can sign up to take part in Edinburgh on 31st August. Visit: https://runforcharity.com/venture-trust/scotland-events

Referrals for our Forward for Families employability programme in Fife are now open!

📅 Our next course begins on 23rd September

If you’re a parent or guardian who would like to increase their skills in CV writing, interview techniques or IT skills, we welcome you to get in touch and make a referral.

As well as core employability skills, we offer personal development in the outdoors to increase other core-life skills like building confidence. We also ensure that sessions take place at convenient times for your childcare requirements, such as school/nursery drop off.

To learn more, visit our website: https://www.venturetrust.org.uk/programmes/forward-for-families/

“I feel comfortable coming back to the space by myself and even exploring new spaces. I love being outdoors but struggle with confidence and to get myself out, this has really helped me to work on that and to feel more human. I feel actually connected to the place I live as opposed to how I’ve been past few years.”

When people feel overwhelmed by personal challenges, it is common to feel isolated and disconnected from their local community. We have just come to the end of a project funded through the The National Lottery Heritage Fund which allowed us to further incorporate local heritage into our participants journey with Venture Trust, aiming to better connect them to their local communities and the spaces available to them which can be beneficial for their mental health and wellbeing.

We worked with partners across Scotland to deliver the project such as Historic Environment Scotland, National Trust for Scotland and SAMH, and used local heritage assets such as the Newhailes Estate, Holyrood Park and Pittencrief Park to deliver specific groupwork and one-to-one sessions designed to allow participants to connect with what is sometimes, right on their doorstep!

The project influenced our work right across our personal development, employability and therapeutic services and had a very positive impact on the participants involved - with over 81% reporting a better connection to their local community and 100% saying they would feel more likely to visit the place again and other Scottish heritage sites.

Thanks to the The National Lottery Heritage Fund for supporting Venture Trust, this programme and the potential of our brilliant participants. We look forward to further developing these links in the future!

Learn more about our work: venturetrust.org.uk

If you’re based in Dundee, grab your tartan and get walking!

There's still time to sign up for the Dundee Kiltwalk taking place this Sunday 11 August.

With options to go for a 5 mile ‘Wee Wander’ or 20-mile ‘Mighty Stride’, there is something for everyone, regardless of your level of fitness. Your 4 legged friends can come along too! It's sure to be a fun and vibrant day.

You can also sign up for the Edinburgh Kiltwalk taking place Sunday 15 September. Sign up today: https://thekiltwalk.co.uk/

Could you be Venture Trust's Chairperson?

We're a forward thinking and impactful charity who needs the support of a dynamic individual to lead our board. If you think you can contribute ideas, share your expertise and ideally engage your network to broaden and deepen support for our work - we want to hear from you!

Vacancy closes 30 August. Don't forget to share with anyone you think would be a good fit for our charity!

To find out more, visit: https://www.venturetrust.org.uk/opportunities/board-chairperson-2/

Ready to get your running shoes on?

The Scottish 10K & Half-Marathon is the ultimate running experience combining fast, flat routes with a stunning view of East Lothian's Golf Coast.

Taking place on 18th Aug, this is the perfect route for your next challenge event. Sign up to run for Venture Trust and receive your very own t-shirt to spread the word about our charity.

Sign up via Run for Charity: https://runforcharity.com/venture-trust/scotland-events

We love to read stories from our Wilderness Journeys.

This is what our team had to say about their recent 10-day trip in the Scottish Highlands:

“We focussed on the all-important safe space, building relationships, explored male socialisation and the ‘Taboo on Tenderness’, and honed-in on how we can meet our basic needs. The group delved into discussions on wellbeing, before reflecting on triggers, the relative merits of “reaction” or “response” and how we can understand our behaviour. The group linked sessions from day-to-day and their openness and honesty was amazing to see.

As one participant put it in our self-reflection session: “I feel like we came here as broken men. And piece by piece we’ve been put back together each day. We’re all going away with more tools in our toolbox to deal with things back at home.”
They left with renewed energy, increased self-worth and direction towards their path of choice.”

Venture Trust continues to work with people returning from Wilderness Journeys to support them in their progress. Learn more about our work or make a referral on our website: https://www.venturetrust.org.uk/

Try and conquer the world’s largest inflatable 5K!

With 32 gigantic obstacles to conquer over a 5K distance, this is one of the most exciting and fun ways to raise vital money for Venture Trust.

Inflatable 5k takes place in Edinburgh and Motherwell on the 24th and 31st August. Sign up now:
https://runforcharity.com/venture-trust/scotland-events

Outdoor Therapy is open to referrals across a number of areas in Scotland 🌿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Outdoor Therapy is our free counselling service for young people and adults combining the benefits of spending time in nature and professional therapy to improve health and wellbeing.

Delivered in outdoor and green spaces such as parks, community gardens, woodlands, beaches or local hills. It can help people gain perspective and reflect on past or current life events that are troubling.

If you're from one of the areas below and think you could benefit from sessions of free, confidential Outdoor Therapy - make a referral today.

- Fife for those aged 16-24
- East Ayrshire, Glasgow, North Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, South Ayrshire and South Lanarkshire for those aged 16+

Grab your tartan and get walking! Join our Kiltwalk teams in Dundee or Edinburgh by registering today.

We need you to join our Kiltwalk teams and take part in Scotland's largest fundraising walking event, which is sure to be a fun and vibrant day.

With options between a 4 mile ‘Wee Wander’ or a 20-mile ‘Mighty Stride’, there is something for everyone, regardless of your level of fitness. Your 4-legged friends can come along too and help raise money for Venture Trust!

📅Dundee Kiltwalk takes place Sunday 11 August

📅Edinburgh Kiltwalk takes place Sunday 15 September

Follow the link to find out more and register! https://ow.ly/La2n50SJcNB

✂️ Dundee Kiltwalk 2023 45 seconds · Clipped by Venture Trust · Original video "Dundee Kiltwalk 2023" by The Kiltwalk

Are you a therapeutic practitioner that wants to use the outdoors to support your work?

Book now for our next two-day Outdoor Therapy Training course taking place 6th-7th September.

This two-day training will explore themes and issues that emerge when working therapeutically outdoors. It will give practitioners a chance to experience and practice skills to develop their understanding of their nature-based practice.

Feedback from our April course:

“I loved every single thing about the training."

"I enjoyed and benefited from having the opportunity to reflect on my own life experiences and beliefs. In essence, it reaffirmed for me that you need to put your own oxygen mask on first before you can effectively help other people."

📅 Friday 6th - Saturday 7th September 2024
📌 Redhall Walled Garden in Edinburgh

Click the link to find out more: https://ow.ly/mvuN50SJbgt

An exciting opportunity has arisen to lead our Board and Charity.

We seek a dynamic individual who can contribute, share their expertise, and ideally engage their network to broaden and deepen support for Venture Trust. An affinity with our work, supporting people in their development to overcome life challenges, is essential.

To find out more and to apply, follow the link: https://ow.ly/f6Be50SI315

Passionate about making a difference?

There's still time to apply to join Venture Trust's Board and be a part of something truly impactful.

For more information and to apply, please visit: https://ow.ly/flS650SxXcV

It’s the Association for Outdoor Therapy UK and Ireland (AOT) launch tonight Tuesday 9th July at 7-8pm.

Venture Trust have have supported the development of the association for the last 3 years through the involvement of Rich Tildesley (our Outdoor Practice and Development Manager) and Katarina Horrox (our Clinical Practice Manager).

The mission of AOT is to develop and support safe, ethical and sustainable approaches to outdoor therapy by building a thriving community of practice, promoting knowledge and understanding, and building capability in the field.

AOT is representative of diverse approaches across outdoor therapies, also including nature therapy, ecotherapy, adventure therapy, and outdoor counselling to name a few. It's a great chance to learn more about the AOT and how it might benefit your work.

If you’re interested, then please register and come along to the launch: https://www.outdoor-learning.org/news-events/ems-event-calendar/association-for-outdoor-therapy-launch.html

Association for Outdoor Therapy launch Launch of the new Association for Outdoor Therapy

Our Outdoor Therapy service is open to referrals across a number of areas in Scotland! 📢

If you're from one of the areas below and think you could benefit from sessions of free, confidential Outdoor Therapy - make a referral today.

- Fife for those aged 16-24
- East Ayrshire, Glasgow, North Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, South Ayrshire and South Lanarkshire for those aged 16+

Click here to learn more, get in touch and make a referral: https://www.venturetrust.org.uk/programmes/outdoor-therapy/

Outdoor Therapy - Venture Trust Outdoor therapy programme in Scotland supporting people with mental health issues as a because of experience of trauma, addiction, social isolation, anxiety and depression.

DEADLINE EXTENDED!

Last chance to apply... closing date now Monday 1st July!

🌿 Calling all Outdoor Therapists! 🌿

Ready to make a meaningful difference in Fife? Join our growing team at Venture Trust and be a part of something truly impactful.

If this sounds like your calling, don't wait! Apply today at the link below and take the first step towards making a difference.

https://ow.ly/CHZy50RSeMK

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