25 Stories for 25 Years
On 3rd June 2000, our Purpose-Built Community and International Leadership Centre in Staffin on the Isle of Skye was opened by HRH The Princess Royal. Since then, we have been alongside thousands of young people from tough realities – and the key adults in their lives – helping them unlock their potential and lead lives of purpose, meaning, and contribution.
At the heart of our work is a powerful vision: that every young person and the adults around them realise their full potential and share a common experience and understanding of values-based leadership. Because when that happens, real, lasting change becomes possible – not just in individual lives, but in families, schools, services, and whole communities.
To mark this milestone, we are launching 25 Stories for 25 Years – a series of powerful stories that reflect the heart of our work and the courage and resilience of the people we walk beside. A new story will be shared every two weeks throughout our 25th anniversary year.
Andrew’s Story: From YPLA graduate to key Columban Team Member
For Andrew Whitehead, Columba 1400 has been a place of growth, community, challenge and opportunity for more than a decade. [...]
Spotlight on Redwell Primary School: Building a Culture of Belonging and Wellbeing
Redwell Primary School offers a compelling example of how Values-Based Leadership Experiences (VBLEs), facilitated by Columba 1400 can lead to [...]
Charleston Matters: The Inspiring Story of Ten Women
Background to Columba 1400’s work in Dundee Since 2019 Columba 1400 has partnered with What Matters To You (WM2U) in [...]
Transforming School Leadership – The Impact of our HTLA
Head Teachers in Scotland are facing huge pressures – balancing strategy with the daily demands of school life, while always [...]
The Columba 1400 Impact on Individuals
Individual stories carry weight – and when it comes to values-based leadership (VBL), the stories emerging from Columba 1400 VBL [...]
In Their Own Words: The Impact of Columba 1400
For 25 years thousands of young people from across Scotland have taken part in a Columba 1400 Young People's Leadership [...]
Reimagining Leadership in Inverclyde – A Journey of Connection, Courage and Commitment
Columba 1400 was invited to be alongside officials in Inverclyde to help foster a more unified, values-driven team culture across [...]
Empowered Voices: The Success of the Connected2Care Conference
In Inverclyde, a group of care-experienced young people took on a significant challenge – one that would bring together professionals, [...]
Values-Based Leadership – A Parent’s Story
Columba 1400 has partnered with What Matters To You (WM2U) – an initiative focused on community-based systems change – in [...]
Travis’s Story: “It completely changed my life.”
As a proud care-experienced young person, Travis Walsh has drawn on his Columban journey to grow into an inspiring classroom [...]
Columba 1400 and the Clackmannanshire Education Story
In Clackmannanshire, Columba 1400 has become a cornerstone of educational and community transformation through its Values-Based Leadership Experiences (VBLEs). Rooted [...]
From Skye to Zimbabwe: Leadership, Service and Lasting Change
Every year, Columba 1400 welcomes young people from Levenmouth Academy in Fife onto the Donaldson’s Leadership Academy through our Young [...]
Transforming a Community in Dundee
In late 2024, Columba 1400 partnered with What Matters To You (WM2U) to facilitate a Values-Based Leadership Experience (VBLE) with [...]
How Lenzie Academy Pupils Turned Values into Action
In 2024, a group of young people from Lenzie Academy began a transformative journey through a Columba 1400 Young People’s [...]
Falkirk Care-Experienced Young People’s Leadership Academy
A Story of Voice, Connection, and Courageous Leadership In Falkirk, a group of care-experienced young people came together, each with [...]
The Journey of Our Early Career Teacher Ambassadors
In early 2024, a group of passionate educators from across Scotland came together online each Wednesday evening – not for [...]
A Story of Young People and Transformation
The Power of Belief For many young people, life can feel like a series of obstacles rather than opportunities. Growing [...]
The Rosehill Way: Leading, Learning, and Building a School Culture That Lasts
Written by Gail Preston, Head Teacher, Rosehill High School I joined Cohort 92 of the Columba 1400 Head Teachers’ Leadership [...]
Columba 1400: The Golden Thread in Clackmannanshire
Since 2017, the partnership with Columba 1400 in Clackmannanshire has become what many now describe as the “golden thread” running [...]
Kodie’s Story: From Reluctance to Leadership
When Kodie first heard about Columba 1400 Young People's Leadership Academy in 2021, she had no intention of taking part. [...]
Safe Harbour, Stronger Leaders – Senior Leaders’ Academy
In the summer of 2022, some of Scotland’s most senior public service leaders came together – not for policy or [...]
Dundee: A Journey of Values-Driven Transformation
Since 2019, the collaboration between Columba 1400 and WM2U in Dundee has been an evolving, values-led journey towards positive change [...]
Dundee International Sports Complex (DISC) Youth Group
Many young people, particularly those facing tough realities, live in families and communities with complex needs. Our public services and [...]
Our Story of Impact
The Columba 1400 Story of Impact For 25 years, Columba 1400 has walked alongside young people, and the key adults [...]
Jessica’s Story
Jessica Chappelle: A Journey of Leadership and Self-Belief Nine years ago, I was lacking self-belief. I struggled to fit in, [...]