Scheme helps build skills and team work

Boost for teenagers

Young people from two council programmes have been attending outdoor team building skills and fishing sessions.

The events, which are organised with local businesses, provided the Youth Inclusion Project (YIP) and Helping Young People Engage ( HYPE) members with an opportunity to learn about the environment and how to conserve the habitat surrounding them.

A partnership with Lee Brodie, from Brodie’s Angling and Outdoor in Livingston and Alex Wyness at Lomond Hills Fishery, Glenrothes, ensured that the young people were provided with the best quality equipment and access to free fishing and expert tuition. To say thank you for being able to access the equipment and fishing this year and to give something back to the local community the young people decided to raise funds for West Lothian’s Youth Action Project by walking across the Forth Road Bridge.

Executive councillor for health and care Anne McMillan commented: “The experience of learning about the environment, conservation and fishing combined with team building added up to a unique experience for the young people. I would like to thank the two local companies who have supported the programme and congratulate the young people on their fundraising efforts.”

Lee Brodie said: “I think that all young people should have access to the outdoors and the skills that the young people can pick up on the way are invaluable in relation to respecting our environment and also the labour market.”

Alex Wyness added: “I have had the young people from YIP and HYPE fish here on several occasions and have witnessed them learn skills, team building, conservation and most importantly catching fish. Hopefully I have made a little difference in these young people’s lives.”