Hello, thank you for visiting my page. Here is a brief summary of why I am raising money for theGKexperience with the Kiltwalk challenge. Please donate what you can. Also, please if you are eligible, ensure you agree to Gift Aid, which will give us a further 25% of your donation at no cost to you.

TLDR;

theGKexperience has a team of 24, including young leaders taking on the Kiltwalk challenge in order to raise money for the organisation, which will give children and young people living below the poverty line opportunities to see their aspirations become reality, through local community groups, residential experiences, a young leaders programme and tailored one to one support.

Some of the challenges young people face growing up in Glasgow:

I have been with theGKexperience for 11 years. Over that time I have been blown away by the amazing young people of Glasgow and how they keep on going despite challenges and stigmatisation they face. They are funny, smart, driven and resourceful. I have spent time with these young people at youth groups, through one to ones, and on countless residential experiences. Sitting round campfires listening to their stories and wanting to be able to do more to help but also seeing them develop over the years through adventure activities and trips, through relationships with the team, becoming young leaders, securing employment or becoming the first in their families to have graduated from Uni. GK recognises there is not one path for a young person and we help them to explore who they are, what they want and how they achieve it in a safe a welcoming environment that they have a strong sense of belonging with.

In order to keep GK going we need around £240,000 per year. Residential costs keep going up and up, with one trip costing between £5000-£10,000. We aim to do between 10-14 in a year, so you can see why we are keen to raise as much as we can.

The Kiltwalk is a great opportunity for us to raise money but also to get people together. We have a team of 24 walking, some of who are our young leaders. The money raised will be spent in different ways across our programme and make a real difference to children and young people living below the poverty line in Glasgow.

An overview of theGKexperience:

VISION

theGKexperience is founded on the belief that all young people are brilliant, and that they all deserve the same opportunities to succeed in order to make their aspirations a reality.

MISSION

We journey alongside and offer support to young people who face long-term challenges due to poverty, disadvantage, and inequality in Glasgow and the wider area. We build long-term trusting and respectful relationships with young people and their families over years, listening to their voices and being welcomed by them to offer support. We are persistent in our engagement, love, and support, especially if it becomes difficult due the barriers they face. We work alongside young people in their local settings and allow outdoor residential and wilderness experiences to help them soar.

AIMS

We provide an integrated model of support across 4 areas: Residential experiences, local community work, a young leaders programme and tailored individual support. Through these, young people:

- Increase their confidence and skills to take new steps and make positive decisions

- Create a strong voice towards decisions that impact them

- Build resilience against adverse childhood experiences

- Gain leadership skills and increasing prospects

- Improve physical and mental health

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