We are delighted to share the findings of a major independent evaluation by IPSOS Scotland, commissioned by the Scottish Government, which examined the impact of the Scottish Mentoring and Leadership Programme (SMLP). The programme brought together Columba 1400’s Young People’s Leadership Academy (YPLA) and MCR Pathways to support care-experienced young people and those facing tough realities.
Key findings included:
Confidence that lasts
The strongest and most consistent finding was increased confidence. Young people reported greater self-belief, stronger communication skills and improved self-esteem, with these benefits remaining in place, and often growing stronger, years after participation. IPSOS found that increased confidence also supported improvements in wellbeing, social connections and engagement in school and wider opportunities.
Life-changing experiences
Young people, parents, carers and school staff described the YPLA as “powerful”, “affirming”, “life-changing” and “transformational”, highlighting the profound impact the experience has on participants.
Stronger leadership cultures in schools
Schools reported that participation in the YPLA helped nurture leadership cultures, creating more opportunities for young people to contribute, lead and have their voices heard. The programme was also linked to more values-based and restorative approaches within school communities.
Reaching more young people through the place-based model
The evaluation found that Columba 1400’s place-based approach is successfully reaching young people who may not otherwise be able to attend an Academy with a residential element, while achieving similar outcomes in confidence, self-belief and social connection.
Raising aspirations and opening up futures
Young people, teachers and partners described how the YPLA helps participants recognise their strengths, develop resilience and believe in what is possible for their future. The evaluation highlighted increased motivation, engagement and ambition, with many young people feeling more confident about pursuing further education, training and employment.
Trusted relationships matter
The IPSOS evaluation also highlighted the strength of the Columban team, who were consistently praised by young people, parents and school staff for their warmth, understanding and ability to build meaningful relationships.
These findings are extremely encouraging, not simply because they demonstrate lasting impact, but because they affirm why we were founded in 1997 as Scotland’s first purpose-built Community and International Leadership Centre, and the first organisation in Scotland to deliver values-based leadership academies specifically for young people.
That pioneering belief was simple: every young person should know that they matter, have the opportunity to realise their potential and feel empowered to make a positive difference. More than 25 years later, the IPSOS findings provide powerful independent evidence of the lasting impact of that approach.
At Columba 1400, we see leadership not as a position, but as a way of being. It is about recognising your own value, understanding the values you stand for, and finding the confidence to make a positive difference not only in your own life but also in the lives of others.
The IPSOS evaluation offers independent evidence of the lasting difference this approach can make and reflects the experiences of thousands of young people whose stories remind us that every person has their own unique strengths to discover and realise their potential.
As we look to the future, we remain committed to being alongside young people facing tough realities, helping them find their voice, understand that they matter and enabling them to lead lives of meaning, purpose and contribution.
Read more about the evaluation here.
Dates for our 2027 Young People’s Leadership Academies (YPLA) are now open for booking. If you are interested in taking part, would like to create this opportunity for young people, or could help fund a YPLA, we would love to hear from you at [email protected].
