‘Their performance has been remarkable’ – Caithness and Sutherland youngsters take part in confidence-boosting activity weekend
A dozen youngsters proved an asset to the far north after taking part in a confidence-building weekend in the Cairngorms.
The 12 young people from Caithness and Sutherland joined DYW North Highland for an action-packed adventure outing, combining outdoor challenges with mentorship and reflective workshops.
They were praised for their efforts and pushing themselves throughout the weekend, which had the backing of Scrabster Harbour Trust.
Activities included problem-solving tasks, canoeing on the River Spey, high ropes and a thrilling battle zone. The weekend culminated in an adrenaline-pumping bungee jump over the River Garry near Pitlochry with Highland Fling.
The Summit to Success programme, created in partnership with DYW North Highland, aimed to inspire, build confidence, encourage teamwork, and enhance communication and problem-solving skills.
The weekend took place at Cairngorms Activities, led by the centre's co-founder Sam Philip and DYW North Highland operations manager Tom McGee.
The group were supported by volunteers Chris Aitken, computing science teacher at Wick High School, Jo Henderson, field worker with TYKES Young Carers in Golspie, and Emmerleigh Barter, retained firefighter and development officer with Caithness RFC.
DYW North Highland collaborates closely with employers in the north Highland region to inspire, develop and involve the future workforce, while creating a compelling narrative of opportunity for young people. The activities, events, and real-life experiences provided by DYW play a crucial role in assisting young people in making informed decisions about their futures and preparing them for the world of work.
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Mr McGee said: "After reflecting on conversations and feedback from the young people we work with in our region, we made it a priority to place confidence-building at the heart of our Summit to Success programme.
“I’ve been incredibly impressed by the group, particularly in how quickly they formed connections and pushed themselves throughout the process. From the interview and application stages to the way they conducted and challenged themselves, their performance has been nothing short of remarkable.
“The team at Cairngorms commended them highly for their professionalism, and they have proven to be a true asset to our region. Every single one of them has shown outstanding courage, commitment and compassion for one another.
“Opportunities like these are pivotal in strengthening employability skills, and this group embraced every chance to grow and learn. Their dedication to the programme is exactly the kind of work ethic that employers value, and I am confident they have bright futures ahead of them, no matter which career path they choose."
Ryan Maclean, trust manager at Scrabster Harbour, added: “We are delighted to have supported this fantastic initiative that enabled young people the opportunity to develop new skills, test themselves and experience the outdoors.
“At Scrabster we are committed to fostering strong connections with our local community, and projects like this align well with our values. Investing in our youth is an investment in our collective future, and we are proud to have played a part in making this activity weekend possible.”