We work with young people and the key adults in their lives through our Young People’s Leadership Academies (YPLA). Our YPLA consists of consultations and initial engagement, leading to three distinct phases, including an intensive Phase Two which is bespoke to the group so that it fits their needs, aims and values.

Phase Two involves either a five-day residential element at our purpose-built community and international leadership centre in Staffin on the Isle of Skye or a three to five day experience delivered in the local community of the young people – this is often offered to young people who may have barriers to their participation in a residential element.

Consultation Phase: Working closely with the school’s Senior Leadership Team we explore the needs of the school and build a bespoke experience around those needs.

Initial Engagement: We introduce the YPLA to school staff and pupils through briefings and a launch assembly, giving everyone a clear sense of what is involved. Young people who are interested put their names forward, and are invited to Values Taster Sessions. From there, up to 16 young people and a small team of staff are selected to take part in the full YPLA.

Phase One: Young people take part in about 20 hours of orientation sessions – exploring the six Columban Values and beginning to reflect on what these mean to them. This includes a full-day session before the residential element, helping them to identify the values they will develop further in Skye.

Phase Two: This is the five-day residential element of the leadership academy at our centre in Skye (or a three to five day experience in the young people’s local community), where young people take part in immersive, values-based leadership experiences. Through individual and group sessions, they explore their own leadership and start a journey of transformation – building confidence, connection, and a sense of the impact they can make in their schools and communities when they return home.

Phase Three: Development and Action: The most important phase of the YPLA is what happens when participants return home. Columba 1400 encourages young people and staff to come together to work on their shared aims and focus on how they can create positive and long-lasting change within the school community. This phase involves at least four sessions and separate follow-up sessions.