Creating a Safe Space | Gowanbank Youth Engagement Programmes
27 May 2026
The Benefits of Outdoor Learning
11 October 2026Impact Report 2025-26
Since Gowanbank opened its doors in 2018, there has been a huge amount of change, growth and development at the centre. Over the past year, we have been working hard to capture more meaningful data to better understand and demonstrate the impact Gowanbank is having on the children and young people who visit us.
Read our latest impact report here:
Gowanbank is visited by a variety of different groups, all with their own needs, aims and objectives. Each year we have schools, SU Holidays camps and weekends, youth work groups and other charities joining us for programmes which include a range of activities led by our skilled and trusted instructors.
The team at Gowanbank is passionate about making a positive impact on each and every young person who comes to the centre. We are always encouraged to see the growth and positive changes in the children and young people and to hear the feedback from the groups that visit.
We aim to ensure that, in line with the Scripture Union Scotland values, every child feels valued, welcomed and able to participate regardless of their beliefs, gender, sexuality, ethnicity, ability or disability. (SU Scotland Strategy 2024-2027)
[Our visit] built trust and created an emotionally safe environment where students felt valued. This involved not just offering consistent support and encouragement, but also modelling positive behaviour and effective communication. – Leader, North Ayrshire Active Schools Extended Outreach Programme
Each child and young person deserves to feel safe and included, with access to programmes and activities, without any financial barriers or obstacles which prevent them from participating. We work to reduce these barriers by receiving grants and support from other donors to make sure children and young people get the opportunity to visit our centre for activity days and residentials, regardless of their circumstances.
The instructors were great, went through with staff all the support needs of the young people, offered adaptations whenever possible and were so encouraging. – Teacher, ASN Primary School
Aligned with SU Scotland’s Ministry at the Margins strategy, Gowanbank works closely with our ‘priority groups’ who come from areas of high deprivation and are disadvantaged in some way. Making connections with schools, teachers, youth groups, leaders and young people has been an important part of connecting with the community.
We’re always looking for stories that share the impact our work has on children and young people. If you have a story to share, please get in touch, we’d love to hear from you!
