In February 2022, Trefoil awarded an organisational grant of £7,000 to Outfit Moray to fund their Ignite project.
The Ignite programme ran over two days per week across eight weeks and delivered 16 outdoor learning and adventure sessions. The programme engaged eight disadvantaged and vulnerable children from a local primary school in Moray who were struggling at school and the transition to high school was anticipated to be a daunting and challenging process.
Participants had the opportunity to try kayaking, stand up paddleboarding and mountain biking, as they worked towards achieving the Paddle Start and Go Mountain Biking Awards.
The group also developed teamwork, communication and resilience as they tried rafting, raft building, crate climbing, Tyrolean traverse and rock climbing.
Additionally, the programme was educational and life skills were learned by the group as they completed first aid training and developed bushcraft skills.
At the start of the programme, all the young people identified themselves as lacking in confidence and whilst they wanted to try new activities, they were very nervous about challenge. Following the programme, 91% of participants felt up for the challenge!
Throughout the programme, instructor feedback showed consistent improvement in levels of confidence, teamwork, risk awareness, communication, decision making and self-control, with an overall 97% positive engagement in the course.
Trefoil are delighted that these young people thoroughly enjoyed this programme of activities and the funding contributed towards activities that built their confidence and resilience.