DRC Youth Project - SCIO

08/10/2026

Our busiest year of school support is well and truly underway!

With our established John Paul Academy programmes now joined by new groups from St Thomas Aquinas and Knightswood Secondary School, we're delivering school support to seven groups across three schools this year.

Our three John Paul Academy groups are already well into their programmes, with young people developing practical skills in joinery, health and beauty, alongside outdoor learning, team challenges and other activities.

This week we've also welcomed three new groups from St Thomas Aquinas and one from Knightswood Secondary School. It's been a great start, with inductions, team-building activities and the first opportunities to get hands-on with some of the skills they'll be learning over the coming months.

There's a real variety to the work we're delivering, from constructing timber joints in the workshop to learning nail treatments in the salon, with plenty more planned as the programmes develop.

It's a busy timetable for our staff, but the groups are settling in well and we're looking forward to working with everyone over the coming months. A big thanks to all three schools for their continued support and to our team for the work that's gone into getting everything up and running.

08/10/2026

Check out what's happening at HOS today!

Tonight our 12-19s drop-in youth club is on!

Totally free and loads of activities on the go. Sports, games, team challenges, quizzes, gaming, pool, darts, board games, arts & crafts and time to chill with your pals.

❓ WHATS ON THIS THURSDAY 8TH OCTOBER Heart of Scotstoun Community Centre

Connect and make new friends
Lots of people come in for a cuppa, to have fun, try new activities or just to use the free wi-fi. Many people visiting Warm Spaces say what they love about them is the opportunity to make new friends and connect with their community.

They come in for the warmth, stay for the welcome, and leave with a smile on their face.

A "WARM SPACE" is

♨️ WARM
👋 WELCOMING
🆓 FREE
🫂 SAFE

You will also see some of our groups below Heart of Scotstoun Community Centre today:-

Jo Jingles Glasgow North Home-Start Glasgow North and North Lanarkshire Healing for the Heart DRC Youth Project - SCIO Lolly Hughes Hypnobirthing Glasgow

07/10/2026

There's always plenty happening with the DRC at Yoker Community Campus!

The Campus has long been an important space for the community and a base for some of our work in Yoker, with large numbers of local young people coming through the doors and taking part in our groups and programmes on a regular basis.

Our established youth clubs offer a mix of open drop-in youth work, structured activities, sports, cooking, creative sessions and trips throughout the year.

The Campus also provides space for some of our school support programmes, including practical and trade-based sessions where young people can learn new skills and gain hands-on experience.

We're really fortunate to have such a strong partnership with Yoker Community Campus. A special thanks to Dougie for his ongoing support of DRC and our young people.

Plenty of good work happening under one roof.

30/09/2026

Day 2 aboard the Alba Explorer and our group are absolutely loving it!

After an early start, the two watches got the boat ready before lifting anchor and setting sail for Tarbert. It was a windy day out on the water, with the group helping to raise the main sail and jib and continuing to work together despite a few feeling the effects of being at sea!

The reward was pretty special though, with a pod of dolphins appearing alongside the boat and giving everyone an amazing show on the way to Tarbert.

There was also a man overboard drill, some unsuccessful fishing, time ashore exploring Tarbert and a walk up to the castle before heading back aboard for dinner, logbooks and games.

Another packed day and great to hear that all seven young people are having such a good time.

Day 2 complete!

Ocean Youth Trust Scotland
Corra Foundation

30/09/2026

A massive thank you to Yoker Athletic Football Club and everyone who supported the food collection at last weekend's home game.

The club and its supporters came together to collect a very generous amount of food for our North West Community Pantry, which will go directly towards supporting our members.

Our Pantry Coordinator Abbie summed it up perfectly: “The donation from Yoker Athletic was amazing and a real boost for our members.”

It's great to see a local club and its supporters getting behind the Pantry and supporting people in their own community.

A big thank you from everyone at DRC to Yoker Athletic and everyone who donated!

30/09/2026

Our Pathfinder programme has just passed 10 years of supporting young people into training and employment in partnership with Working Rite and Ethan's progression is a great way to mark the milestone.

A massive congratulations to Ethan, who has completed his 12-week placement with David and the team at Maryhill MOT Centre and is now progressing into a Modern Apprenticeship.

Ethan came into Pathfinder with an interest in becoming a motor mechanic and has spent the past 12 weeks learning on the job, including car servicing, tyre fitting and repairs.

He's now taking the next step into his apprenticeship, with plans to attend college as he continues working towards becoming a qualified motor mechanic.

A big thank you to David and the team at Maryhill MOT Centre for giving Ethan the opportunity and supporting him throughout his placement.

Well done Ethan, cracking result and fully deserved!

29/09/2026

And they're off!

Seven young people and two DRC staff have joined the crew of the Alba Explorer for a four-day sailing voyage around the West Coast with Ocean Youth Trust Scotland.

Day one started at the DRC office, checking everyone had their kit before heading for some lunch and, inevitably, picking up a few last-minute supplies... including a forgotten toothbrush!

Once aboard the Alba Explorer, it was time to meet the crew, get familiar with the boat and go through the all-important safety checks. The group had a full tour above and below deck before getting their first taste of what life as part of the crew involves.

As they set sail, everyone was learning from the off – bringing in the fenders, taking up the anchor, learning how to operate the winch safely and getting the sails prepared for the following day.

After sailing down towards Kip Marina, the ropes were stowed away for the evening and everyone settled in for dinner. The young people helped with the dishes, got their beds organised and finished the night with some downtime, games, logbooks and a well-earned hot chocolate.

A lot to take in on the first day, but all seven young people have settled in really well.

Ocean Youth Trust Scotland

Corra Foundation

24/09/2026

It's been a busy few weeks, but we're just getting round to sharing this one!

Our Specialist Group and Employability Workers, Liam and Gordon, recently visited for their Partners Breakfast.

The morning was a good opportunity to meet other organisations and hear more about the story behind Men Matter Scotland, how the project has developed and the work they're doing to support men within their community.

It's always useful for our team to spend time with other organisations, learn more about the support available locally and look at where our work and the young people we support might connect with other opportunities.

A really impressive set-up and some great work being done by the team at Men Matter Scotland.

21/09/2026

There's been plenty of work going on at our allotment recently, with our 3rd and 4th year groups from John Paul Academy playing a big part in improving the space.

Over the past few sessions, the young people have been staining the raised planters, giving the outdoor kitchen a fresh coat and tackling some of the general maintenance around the site. This week that included clearing weeds and learning how to safely use the strimmer, with everyone getting the chance to have a shot.

The allotment gives us a great setting to introduce young people to practical skills they might not have tried before. They're learning how to use different tools and equipment, work safely, complete jobs properly and work together to see a task through.

It's also good to see the difference their work is making. The site continues to develop with every visit, and the young people can see the results of the time and effort they've put into improving a space that will be used by groups from across the project.

Plenty still to do, but it's coming along nicely!

21/09/2026

Our North West Community Pantry was looking well stocked after another great delivery from our partners at FareShare.

We had a really good mix of fresh fruit and vegetables, tins, cupboard essentials and fridge items, giving our members plenty of choice when they came in for their shop.
A lot of work goes into keeping the Pantry running each week, with our staff working alongside young people who volunteer their time to help with deliveries, stock the shelves and support members during opening hours. It's a really important part of the project and we're proud of the role our young people play in making it happen.

The Pantry is open as normal:

Tuesday – 1pm–4pm
Thursday – 12pm–3pm

Just a reminder that we cannot serve anyone who is under the influence of alcohol or drugs. We will always do what we can to help and treat everyone who comes through our doors with respect, but we ask that the same respect is shown to our staff, volunteers and young people.

Thanks as always to FareShare Glasgow and the West of Scotland for their continued support, and to everyone who helps keep the Pantry running each week.