- Thank you for visiting our Crowdfunding page. Venturing Out CIC is an East Lothian based Community Interest Company that provides inclusive outdoor activities to a wide range of people. We exist to enable access to these kind of activities for people who would normally struggle to access them for reasons such a disability or poverty.
What is the project?
We run an Additional Support Needs Adventurous Activities Provision for East Lothian children with an additional support need (ASN), and their families. Total project costs for this year are £33,000 and we have been very fortunate to receive a grant of £24,800 towards this from East Lothian Council. This has left us with a shortfall of £8,200 and we are hoping to raise this through Crowdfunding. This project aims to deliver 60 ASN sessions this year covering activities such as paddlesports, bushcraft, archery, cycling, orienteering and coasteering. These activities are delivered free of charge. We will also purchase items of adapted equipment to ensure that we are delivering the most fit for purpose provision possible. These items include sit on top kayaks, paddles, adapted bikes, archery equipment, rock climbing harnesses and orienteering equipment. The equipment cost are one off as they will be used for subsequent years.
Why are we doing this?
We passionately believe that everyone should be able to experience the benefits of these kinds of activities. Whether its the joy of getting into a boat for the first time or lighting a fire, or it may be experiencing the feeling of increased confidence, self esteem and an amazing feeling of achievement. Children just want to be accepted and to feel part of something, regardless of their condition or their background. We offer an opportunity for young people (who are struggling to access mainstream activities) to come along and take part in activities that can offer them fun, enjoyment and a challenge, as they try new things they may not have thought they could ever do. Beyond that, our sessions provide an opportunity for social interaction for young people who may feel isolated or not accepted because of their additional support need. They can often feel that they are not welcome and that their specific needs can not be accommodated. Through consultation with families, we know how demoralising this can be for young people and how damaging this can be to their confidence and self esteem on top of managing life with an additional support need.
Our provision is unique, as all of our sessions are family based. This means that parents and siblings can also come and take part with their child - this can offer a family an often rare opportunity for a whole-family activity that whilst primarily being focused on their child with an additional support need, everyone can have fun and share in all the benefits of outdoor activities.
The impact
We could talk all day about the benefits of this provision but we think these pictures and testimonials can do a better job of bringing the provision to life!
"Our family generally find it very difficult to take part in activities all together - usually it is one parent sitting with our ASN child while the other takes his siblings on an activity. To get all five of us out on the water in the same boat was a marvellous opportunity to feel really free and not worry about who was left on the bank! Thank you"
"The ASN provision provided by venturing out is essential for my child to be able to participate in sports and fun activities as there are no other organisations that provide inclusive activities that my child can fully participate in. My child has loved the sessions he has attended provided by venturing out and his confidence and self esteem has grown as a result of these activities."
"My son has always wanted to go on a paddle board on his own but we have never been able to allow it - the amazing staff helped him do it on his own. He was thrilled!!!"
"He has gained the confidence to do things he wouldnt want to do at home and it's great seeing him like this!"
"These activities create an opportunity for our son to get out of the house and be with people, be active and outdoors. Like many kids with ASN he doesn't have friends and is often indoors."
"Daniel was completely out of his comfort zone yet he was happy to get involved and was very soon getting dirty and having fun.
The Venturing Out team are amazing at what they do and really interact well with not just the kids but other family members as well"
We hope that these pictures and testimonials have given you a good overview of our ASN Provision. We are so humbled by the stories of the families that we meet, and in awe of their children as we see them embrace the opportunity to try new activities. We really want to deliver the best provision we can and would be grateful for any support you can offer.