TACKLING UNIQUE CHALLENGES IN RURAL SCOTLAND

At Street League, we work in areas that need our programmes most. Where young people with significant barriers will really benefit from our services - and therefore we recently expanded our delivery into the region of Argyll and Bute in Scotland.

Bordering Loch Lomond and the Trossachs to the east and covering stretches of islands out across the west coast, Argyll and Bute is one of Scotland’s most naturally diverse locations. It is also an area that struggles with the unique challenges of rural living. With 18.9% of children living in poverty, 9.5% of adults with low or no qualifications, and 70% of Argyll and Bute's households at risk of fuel poverty due to the cost-of-living crisis, this expansion comes at a crucial time. 

Kate Thomson, Operations Manager for Street League Renfrewshire and Inverclyde, said, “It’s been an exciting year moving into a new local authority and tapping into new partners and employers who can support the transition to a positive destination for the young people on our programmes. It has been a real learning experience for us working within rural and remote communities and understanding the barriers attached to those areas. We are looking forward to progressing our delivery in the area with the main aim of providing a service to those most in need and ensuring we are as accessible as possible for young people and partners.”

Based on the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation 2020, thirteen Argyll and Bute Council areas were among the top 20% most overall deprived zones in Scotland. These thirteen zones are all located in the towns of Rothesay, Dunoon, Campbeltown, Helensburgh and Oban. 

It is no surprise then that Oban and Helensburgh have been the first to pilot Street League's unique sports and employability services, with 20 young people engaging in 10-week programme blocks in July and October 2022. There has been significant learning from these initial offerings, especially around the barriers that young people face in remote areas. In Oban, issues around drugs, alcohol and criminal convictions were significant. While in Helensburgh, mental health issues were prominent. In both locations, young people are struggling to find opportunities post-school due to travel barriers and job limitations in the local area and are unsure of where to go for support.

Street League will continue to progress with and review delivery across Helensburgh and Oban in the coming months, with the next Academy in Oban due to take place in January 2023. Looking further ahead, Street League will consider broadening delivery across Argyll and Bute if further funding becomes available, with Campbeltown being the next possible opportunity for growth due to need. 

Street League would like to thank Inspiring Scotland for supporting this initiative through the Youth Action Fund. This programme is a major charitable initiative by the Distillers’ Charity, the philanthropic arm of The Worshipful Company of Distillers, which aims to make a difference to young people, helping them to reach their full potential, improve their life chances, and make a positive contribution to their communities.

Street League would also like to highlight other key partners in the area, including Skills Development Scotland, Job Centre Plus in Oban and Helensburgh, Argyll and Bute Local Enterprise Partnership, Hermitage Academy and Oban High School.

Street League currently runs programmes across 11 regions in the UK. If you are a young person or know of a young person needing support in to work, get in touch here.