Wilderness Foundation project in funding appeal

Thought it might be a good idea to highlight a specific Wilderness Foundation project, just in case anyone popping along to the site needs a last nudge to put hand in pocket! This is one of the most inspiring programmes I've seen, and deserves every bit of effort I'll be putting in on Sunday. I'll let Richard Corby, one of the key movers and shakers at WF, speak for himself.

TurnAround is a twelve month long intervention programme for vulnerable youth in mid-Essex, created and managed by the Wilderness Foundation UK. Over four years in development, and having completed a successful pilot programme in 2007 (where we achieved an outstanding 80% success rate in returning participants to full time education and employment - rather than detention in a youth offending facility where many of the kids were headed without help from our programme), we officially launched the programme this year.

Over four years in development, and having completed a successful pilot programme in 2007 (where we achieved an outstanding 80% success rate in returning participants to full time education and employment - rather than detention in a youth offending facility where many of the kids were headed without help from our programme), we officially launched the programme this year.

Working with the Police, Connexions, YOT, schools and families, together with experienced Psychologists, Counsellors, Therapist and Educational Specialists, the Foundation's "TurnAround Project" is changing the lives of young people for the better.

Built around wilderness trails, environmental and community-based workshops, one-to-one sessions with volunteer adult mentors drawn from the local community, TurnAround culminates in a graduation ceremony, then work experience and if desired, re-entry in to full time education.

Monitored by the University of Essex at every stage, we have categorically proven the relationship between time spent in nature and improved self esteem - the successes of TurnAround are clear for all to see. However, we urgently need to raise additional funds to continue the programme into 2010.

A twelve month placement for one young person costs £7,500 - all of which we raise ourselves. We receive no Government funding for this work and are dependant on the support and understanding of people like you to keep changing young lives. Compare this price to the cost of a young person spending a year in detention - estimated to be £47,500 a year to the tax payer - and you can see that TurnAround is not only creating positive futures, but makes good financial sense too.

Pretty compelling in my book. Click here to fund them through my page, or here if you want to fund TurnAround directly.