Campaign supporting young people with life skills

The Youth Adventure Trust's Unlocking Adventure is a national fundraising campaign to support young people

An outdoor adventure scheme supporting vulnerable young people to build life skills is being launched.

The Youth Adventure Trust's Unlocking Adventure is a national fundraising campaign for people aged 11-16 from Wiltshire and Somerset.

The trust offers free residential camps, activity days and overnight expeditions and has supported "thousands" of young people in achieving "more than they think they can" since forming in 1992.

The launch coincides with Mental Health Awareness Week, 12-18 May.

Louise Balaam said it helps participants "face challenges" in their lives

The trust works with schools to identify who would benefit from its programme which lasts between one to four years, and supports up to 320 young people annually.

Louise Balaam, director of fundraising and engagement at the trust said they are hoping to raise enough to fund 10,000 hours of support and help them build resilience and learn skills to "face the challenges they have in their lives".

"There are all sorts of reasons young people come to us, they might be being bullied, have low self-esteem or low confidence, they could have chaotic households or be a young carer," she said.

Outdoor adventure is a platform to help them to learn and achieve their personal objectives and can include anything form learning to light a fire to managing team bonds.

"And because some are with us for a few years, we really do have the opportunity to build up relationships with them and their families," Ms Balaam added.

Eva Fillingham said the programme taught her "you can achieve anything if you put your mind to it"

Eva Fillingham was supported by the trust from around aged 12 and became a young leader in February.

"During school I wasn't the most confident and the trust pulled me out of that," she said.

She learned skills in team work, communication and resilience, which she was then able to carry on into her adult life.

"I think it was the patience from the volunteers and leaders and the encouragement and support [which made it so successful for me], which for teenagers is what they need," she added.

Ms Fillingham said said she hopes young people accessing the support learn to have pride in themselves and understand that "you can achieve anything if you put your mind to it".