Young people are being offered support by LinkLiving’s Steps to Resilience initiative.
A charity is turning young people’s lives around through a pioneering new support programme.
LinkLiving’s Steps to Resilience initiative is aimed at youngsters who have experienced trauma, mental health issues, inequality or isolation.
Participants learn about emotional awareness, positive behaviours, conflict resolution and the effects of diet and sleep on an individual’s mental state.
They also receive one-on-one help to identify opportunities such as volunteering, activities and access to other support services.
So far, LinkLiving has run eight of these courses across two age groups, 14 to 16 and 16 to 25. New courses are now being launched in Fife and Falkirk and the charity is seeking additional funding to support more young people across east central Scotland.
Sarah Smith, chief executive of LinkLiving, said: “Our aim is to help young people break the negative and destructive cycles of behaviour that they may have fallen into because they have never had the support they needed previously to cope with trauma and disadvantage in their life.
“This includes helping young homeless people and those who are coming out of care to develop personal resilience, which involves developing practical and emotional skills.
“We provide truly person-centred support, helping young people to become more employable by offering volunteering opportunities and the care and support they need to move on positively in their lives. These young people already show a high level of determination, they have already survived a host of adverse circumstances.
“Steps to Resilience helps these young people to channel that energy in a positive way by nurturing their qualities and skills to help them make better life choices and a brighter future.”
An incredible 90% of participants on the first Falkirk-based course in 2018 have moved on to positive destinations such as full-time employment, further education or volunteering. Participants reported increases in confidence and self-belief, life skills and the ability to manage stress and anxiety.
Marc Aitchison, 17, was referred to the programme by his school as an emergency after he attempted to take his own life.
He said: "Talking to someone who has experienced similar things such as depression really helps, because they understand exactly how you feel. I’ve learned a lot about mental health through this course and I’m better at coping with my emotions.
“This course has helped me to make a new part of my life, a healthier part, and it’s given me the drive to keep going and hope for the future which I didn’t have before.”
