The Roses Project
A story by ROSES CHARITABLE TRUST
The Roses Project provides personal development, outdoor activity courses for groups of young carers at Tavool House on the Island of Mull.
We offer a unique respite opportunity and aim to make a difference to young people’s lives by increasing their confidence and self-esteem; teaching them new skills and improving their physical well-being and mental health
What The Roses Project did
It has been a busy year for the Roses Project. We have recruited a full time centre warden/cook and marketing assistant and a part time administration assistant.
We have worked with 17 groups at Tavool House on the island of Mull from a variety of backgrounds, schools, community groups, social services units and young carer organisations.
The groups were recruited through word of mouth recommendation, e mail and phone calls, advertising through our website and Facebook page and re- bookings. This year two young carer groups, Edinburgh and PKVAS, were fully funded by the Creative Breaks Fund to attend courses.
Courses ran for between five and seven days depending on group requirements and funds. Each group had sole occupancy of the centre at any one time and the courses were full board with the instructors for the week living on site too.
The young people took part in a range of outdoor activities such as gorge walking, coasteering, rock climbing, abseiling and hill walking.
There were plenty of opportunities for the young people to relax and bond with their peers and leaders. Meals were eaten around a communal dining table to encourage conversation and evenings were spent in free play in the garden or cosied up around a log fire in the centre sitting room.
Amy a leader from Edinburgh YC said: 'The young people have been challenged, encouraged and pushed in a gentle way to achieve and develop new skills. The group have been exposed to activities they may never get the opportunity to do again. She went on to say : ' Delicious, wholesome and homely food. Just what we needed after the activities. Loved the house and the view; peaceful, relaxing, beautiful and unique.'
Marianna from EYC said: ' The young people have eaten better and been shown that wholesome living can also be fun! Some have realised how beneficial the outdoors is to them and they may now pursue a college course'
An Edinbugh YC said: 'The week was amazing, pushing, challenging and fun' Another said: 'I would come again anytime and I’ll run here!'
Jamie from EYC: 'The young people feel that things are now achievable and this has helped increase their self – respect.'
A young person from Edinburgh YC said: 'I feel I am more able to attempt new things'
Jamie from EYC said: 'We have identified work and issues that we will follow up when we get home.'
A young carer from PKVAS said: 'If feel more confident because people and I don’t work very well and they think I am strange so normally I stay quiet, but this residential they’ve accepted me to the point I’ve been adopted as mum of the group.'
A young carer from PKVAS said: 'I feel more confident because the instructors got me out of my shell'
What ROSES CHARITABLE TRUST has learned
The Creative Breaks Fund fully funded two respite breaks for young carers, taking pressure of them to raise any shortfall in funding. The benefit to our organisation meant we were able to use funds raised from other sources to run more residentials.This year we recruited a marketing assistant who has been making direct contact with new groups and encouraging previous groups to return. We have been fortunate to be able to offer heavily subsidised courses to new groups for them to get a taste of what we offer. We are able to allocate our funding as required to those in greatest need or those less likely to ask for support due to lack of resources.
Funded Organisation
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