Self Factor project launches in North Edinburgh

Young people from North Edinburgh are set to benefit from resilience and confidence coaching from Edinburgh based charity U-evolve.

The Self Factor project, which launched yesterday, is based at space donated by Fetlor Youth Club and is working with the Spartans Community Football Academy Alternative School, local high schools, and other charitable organisations that will refer young people aged 11 to 18.

The 20 young people who are set to benefit this year from a combination of individual therapeutic coaching and mentoring alongside workshops on wellbeing, coping strategies and employability skills are at risk of, or already have been, excluded from school.

The project is designed to sustain this personal development as the participants work towards qualifications and onto employment, apprenticeships and ongoing education as well as generally preparing them for life after school. The project is designed to give them purpose, hope and direction.

Eilidh Macdonald Harte, Chair of U-evolve, said: ““The young people we support have all experienced adversity in their lives. At U-evolve they are given a chance to recover, build their self confidence, self worth and resilience. They will develop positive mental health.”

Lesley Macdonald, Head of Giving at The Robertson Trust, said: “Through our Realising Potential funding strand, we are interested in supporting projects which aim to develop confidence and resilience in young people, particularly those who face barriers to success.

“We are aware of the significant challenges facing young people in North Edinburgh and the increased demand for projects like The Self Factor. We look forward to seeing how the project complements the other initiatives being undertaken in the area to improve the life chances of young people.”

Tolga Kuyucuoglu—Self Factor Project Manager said: “U-evolve’s vision of blending coaching with therapeutic methods to instil the fundamental principles of growth is one I am excited to be a part of. I am very enthusiastic about the future, and confident that with the right approach, we can successfully aid and assist young people to reach beyond their potential.”

The Trustees would like to thank their funders and other supporters: The Robertson Trust, The Schuh Trust, Rotary Club, Daisy Chain, The Harley Davidson Dunedin Chapter, Fetlor Community Centre, Will Patterson of Wink Creative and Spartans Community Football Academy.