The Essentia Foundation: A milestone and a legacy
Since the start of this year, hundreds of young people across Scotland have benefitted from a huge £3.5 million investment from the Essentia Foundation.
This includes £2 million pounds that was awarded to eight organisations from their large grants programme, enabling ambitious projects that are helping young people build resilience, develop new skills, and take steps towards brighter futures.
With this considerable investment, all eight funded projects will be able to tackle a range of themes and issues. These include support for those facing barriers to securing employment, mental health and wellbeing for those facing a range of disadvantages including financial insecurities, and learning and education for those disengaged from school and employment.
Venture Trust, one of the eight organisations awarded £250,000, is using the power of the outdoors to help young people build confidence, resilience, and a sense of possibility.
| "You can see the moment when it clicks, when a young person realises they can do something they didn’t think was possible. That’s what Venture Trust is about. Every small step, every little win, builds belief." |
At a recent preparation day ahead of an upcoming wilderness camp, nine young people from across Glasgow came together for their first taste of Venture Trust’s personal development journey. The group included participants referred through Scottish Sports Futures, Cumbernauld High School, and local social work teams.
They were joined by some of the team from Foundation Scotland, including Giles Ruck, our CEO, who gamely donned a harness to join the young people in their abseiling activity, chatting with them and staff about their experiences and hopes for the future.
Led by Venture Trust’s experienced and caring team – Drew, Denny, Alex, Andy, Owen, and Eve – the day began with informal “huddle time,” filled with laughter, introductions, and team games to learn names and build trust. The group then moved on to cooking on camping stoves, learning to use the same equipment they’ll rely on during their wilderness journey.
The nine young people were preparing to head into the wild for a four-day expedition. Activities will include a trek up Ben A’an, canoeing, climbing, and sleeping under canvas. They’ll cook their own meals, sing, play games, and take part in one-to-one sessions designed to help them reflect on their goals, relationships, and the changes they want to make in their lives.
Despite the wet Scottish weather, spirits were high. There were smiles, laughter, and lots of cheers of encouragement as the young people stepped outside of their comfort zone. Whether lighting a stove for the first time, scaling the mountain or abseiling back down, for many, this day was about more than just preparation; it was about taking a leap, both physically and emotionally, into something they’d never imagined themselves doing.
These awards, alongside the additional £1.5 million that has been distributed this year by the Essentia Foundation, underpin its commitment to support young people across Scotland through initiatives focused on wellbeing, education, skills development, and opportunities for employment.
The awards also mark a milestone moment for the Essentia Foundation itself. The Foundation has confirmed it will now wind up its activities, leaving a £1.5 million legacy fund to be administered by Foundation Scotland, a long term partner which has been supporting the Essentia Foundation since 2017.
We are honoured to continue Essentia Foundation’s legacy through the new fund. For the last eight years, our team has had the privilege of working alongside Essentia to ensure its resources reach young people who need them most. This next chapter will see us build on that partnership by supporting grassroots organisations across Scotland. We look forward to helping smaller charities deliver vital opportunities that improve wellbeing, education and future prospects for children and young people, ensuring Essentia’s legacy and impact endures for years to come.
Helen Wray, Head of Philanthropy, Foundation Scotland