About Us

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT TRAINING FOR SOCIALLY EXCLUDED AND VULNERABLE YOUNG PEOPLE

Background

The aim of Cairngorm Outdoors is to provide opportunities for young people to enhance their self-esteem, develop greater self-confidence, and experience new challenges that take them beyond their usual comfort zone.

Cairngorm Outdoors has been in operation since June 2005 and was registered with the Care Commission in December 2007. It has been developed from, and based on, the practice experience of its founding directors, who have worked in crisis care and foster care, have a passionate interest in outdoor activities and an understanding of how to combine elements of these disciplines into robust packages of care and activity for young people.

This experience is underpinned by expertise of a small group of highly qualified and experienced outdoor instructors, who have a range of technical skills as well as direct experience of working with vulnerable and troubled young people.

Added value and particular benefits are provided by the facilities and environment of the Cairngorm National Park.

Vision

To be at the forefront of adventure-based development training for socially excluded and vulnerable young people.

Mission Statement

To help young people to develop their personal and social skills, to promote their self esteem and to enable them to integrate successfully into their communities.

Strategic Aim

To realise the full potential of young people and to provide individual goals for their future development.

Locations

Based in the Cairngorm National Park, Cairngorm Outdoors has access to some of the finest adventure countryside in Britain. Specific training skill sites are well-established and opportunities for adventure ‘journeying’ through the Highlands are unlimited.

Staff and Management

The staff team offers a variety of skills, experience and professional qualifications in order to provide a balanced and varied programme for young people. The team includes youth workers, teachers, and residential workers experienced in the provision of crisis care. The training team includes former Royal Air Force Physical Training Officers, specialising in adventure training and personal development. The Director of Cairngorm Outdoors is a former Community Police Officer with considerable experience of working with children and young people, both in the community and in short term residential care. The service is managed by a qualified social work manager, experienced in the management of a range of social work services in both the voluntary and statutory sector.

All staff hold current Enhanced Disclosure Certificates.