26/10/2026
A2i Project Trip to Glasgow
What an unforgettable weekend for our A2i Project!
On Friday, 12 young local men and 4 leaders set off by ferry for Glasgow as part of an educational and personal development programme designed to give the young men new experiences, broaden their horizons and provide opportunities to learn from people and organisations working within communities.
One of the first stops was Medics against Violence (MAV), where the group had the opportunity to learn more about their Community Navigators Programme and the important work MAV does in communities to support young people and tackle violence.
A massive thank you to Callum from Medics Against Violence, who took the time to speak openly and honestly with the group, sharing his own detailed and very personal experiences of growing up on a council estate in Glasgow, the challenges he faced along the way, and the journey that ultimately led him to where he is today.
His story provided a powerful reminder that our circumstances do not have to define our future. The honesty and openness of his presentation gave the young men plenty to think about and created some really meaningful conversations around choices, consequences, resilience, positive decision-making and the importance of having the right people and support around you.
The group also took part in an excellent session with Dave Scott from Nil By Mouth, exploring some of the issues and challenges that can affect young people in both Northern Ireland and Scotland. It was a valuable opportunity to recognise the similarities between communities on both sides of the Irish Sea.
Alongside the educational sessions, the young men also took part in a number of team-building activities, giving them the chance to work together, challenge themselves, build relationships and, most importantly, have some fun along the way.
⚽️ Saturday brought another memorable experience, as the group had the opportunity to visit the iconic Ibrox Stadium to watch Rangers take on St Johnstone. For many of the young men, this was a fantastic opportunity to experience one of Scotland’s most famous football grounds and enjoy the atmosphere of a live match.
Following the game, the group headed to Springfield Quay for some well-earned downtime and a bit of friendly competition on the ten-pin bowling lanes. 🎳 It was a great chance for everyone to relax, have a laugh and enjoy each other’s company after a busy couple of days.
🌧️ However, the weekend certainly wasn't without its challenges!
Our planned ferry home on Saturday was unfortunately cancelled due to the severe storms affecting both Northern Ireland and Scotland. This meant the group had to find alternative accommodation and stay in Glasgow for a second night.
Sunday brought further delays and uncertainty before we eventually made our way back to Cairnryan and onto the ferry. After a long and challenging journey, the group finally arrived home at around 10pm on Sunday night.
Despite the disruption, delays, changing plans and adverse weather conditions, there were no complaints from the young men. They remained positive, respectful and patient throughout what was undoubtedly a difficult and tiring journey home.
đź‘Ź FCF would like to take this opportunity to give huge credit to every one of the young men who attended the trip.
Their behaviour throughout the weekend was impeccable. They engaged positively in every session and activity, represented themselves, their families and the project extremely well, and showed maturity and resilience when things didn't go according to plan.
Trips like this are about much more than simply visiting new places. They are about creating opportunities, developing confidence, building relationships, challenging perceptions and giving young people experiences that they can take something positive from. This group certainly did themselves proud.
A huge thank you must also go to our fantastic volunteers, who gave up their own free time and spent the entire weekend supporting and accompanying the group. Your commitment, patience and dedication are hugely appreciated and helped make the trip such a success.
🙏 Finally, we would like to extend our sincere thanks to the staff at P&O Ferries and Abbey Coaches for their support, assistance and professionalism throughout the weekend, particularly when the weather and ferry cancellations created additional challenges. Your help played an important part in ensuring that everyone eventually made it home safely.
Overall, a weekend filled with learning, new experiences, challenges, teamwork, laughter and plenty of memories.
Well done to everyone involved — and most importantly, well done to the 12 young men who represented the A2i Project so brilliantly.
This project was supported by The National Lottery Awards for All and managed by Factory Community Forum.
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