COPE Follow-On Programme
 As
seen in the ‘Young Person’s Journey’
flow chart, after completing the Core Programme, participants can take
one of two routes. Those who feel they have gained what they need from
Venture Scotland, and are ready to move on in a new direction, are signposted
towards other organisations, and given advice on college courses and job
opportunities. They still have the opportunity to attend conservation
days, get involved in restoration work on the bothy, and attend social
events. For participants who want to remain more intensively involved
with Venture Scotland there is COPE.
COPE (Conservation and Outdoor Peer Education)
is Venture Scotland’s exciting follow-on programme,
which attempts to cater to the complex needs of our diverse client
base. COPE is funded by the Laidlaw Youth Project
 The
programme aims to provide quality training, support and outdoor
experiences that enable young people who enjoyed the Core Programme to extend their involvement.
COPE offers our young people the chance to develop their interest
in conservation, the environment, outdoor expedition
skills, interpersonal skills, volunteering and peer education.
This can lead to greater self-esteem, confidence, independence
and encourage young people to exercise greater control over their lives and to hopefully make
positive choices relating to lifestyle, physical and mental health.
COPE is a holistic programme that is beneficial to young people,
their referring agencies, Venture Scotland volunteers, young people
on the Core Programme, the Bothy and its surroundings. As with
the Core Programme it uses the Bothy experience and volunteer/staff
skills combined with mutual support and commitment
of young people as a vehicle to facilitate greater self-knowledge,
awareness of ecology and understanding of others.
The programme has three elements and is run over 4 residentials
and a mimimum of six meetings, once a month. These elements are:
- Personal and Social skills - through group work
and supported learning, young people will explore issues such
as their own emotional well-being, relationships, communication
skills, team work, boundaries and managing challenging behaviour.
This aspect is largely tested out and accredited through the Duke
of Edinburgh Award scheme. The young people have one-to-one meetings
to establish key tasks or roles they wish to try out, and have
supervised opportunities (with feedback from staff) to undertake
these activities.
- Conservation and Environmental skills - specific and generic
skills are developed with some theory and practical elements,
that enhance or maintain the Bothy and its surroundings - this
is accredited through the John Muir Awards.
- Finally, young people are supported in sitting on the Participants’
Council. Support is given through training on specific roles and
responsibilities such as chairing meetings, listening skills,
minute taking and reviewing techniques. The Participants Council
is a positive way of ensuring young peoples’ voices are
heard, and the direction and operations of VS are monitored effectively
by participants themselves to keep VS activities true to young
peoples’ needs.
 The
emphasis of COPE is on being flexible and enjoyable, tailored to the needs
of participants. This is balanced, however, with the recognition that
our young people need to make lifestyle changes and develop their personal
and social skills if they are to overcome some of the barriers to training,
voluntary work or employment they face.
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