Forth Valley College’s Lifestart course is aimed at young people who require significant learning support and places an emphasis on extending social and life skills and encouraging independence.

A group of fourteen students with mostly complex learning difficulties volunteered with the Green Action Project at two sites - the Falkirk Wheel (one of Scotland's top tourist attractions) and the Action Outdoors Centre in Falkirk (owned by Waterways Trust Scotland and managed by Falkirk Council). The students took part in a 12-week conservation project which included landscaping, tree planting, developing wildlife habitats and path building.

The group learned how to use a range of tools including saws and knives.  They became more aware of what they liked and disliked about the tasks and also learned about their own strengths and weaknesses.  The students worked as a part of a team both with their own class mates and with others from BTCV (British Trust for Conservation Volunteers), thus experiencing a range of interpersonal relationships.  Volunteer Agnes Blair said “I made new friends”. Many of the activities required a team approach and so the students learnt to support each other in what they often discovered to be difficult tasks.  The group learned about sustainable development and conservation and helped to build a dry stane dyke and viewing platform for visitor and community use. As their practical skills and confidence improved they planted trees and other plants with little supervision. Initially the students were unsure about themselves and the Green Action Project but during the twelve-week programme they became more confident and enjoyed working together with the staff and other volunteers.  Volunteer Ashleigh McRobbie said “I am now much more confident doing the tasks myself”.

Visitors and the local community now enjoy a range of improvements that have encouraged greater use for community wildlife walks and education workshops.  The improved nature trail has broadened the appeal of the Falkirk Wheel as a place for learning and recreation.  The Action Outdoors Centre project now has new, improved and safer footpaths and a garden makeover.  

The Green Action Project provided project partners British Waterways Scotland, Falkirk Wheel, Action Outdoors Centre and Waterways Trust Scotland with valuable practical experience of managing the particular demands of vulnerable groups with varying abilities and expectations.  In particular, staff at the Action Outdoors Centre benefited from working with a new clientele and seeing the challenges and opportunities that volunteering could offer in future programmes and activities.

Team members: Lifestart students (complex learning difficulties) - James Bilsbrough, Agnes Blair, Craig Bryans, Christopher Buchanan,  Mhairi Dawson,  Jack Fullerton, Mhairi Leishman, Robyn McDonald, Ashleigh McRobbie, Jordan Nicholls, Jenna Stojanovic,  Mark Wotton.  Workstart students (mild to moderate learning difficulties) - Maimie Rodgers, Logen Ludwig.