Hello and welcome
Hello!
My name is Kate and I’m a Quarriers volunteer.
I’m very pleased to welcome you to this round-up of Quarriers news, with a special focus on children and young people.
I volunteer as a mentor for Quarriers intandem service and have been mentoring a young man called Christopher for six years now. His is a huge success story that shows how the right support can change the course of young people’s lives. I am immensely proud of him and all that he’s achieved, and you can read our story on page ten.
The mental wellbeing of young people is a particular passion of mine. Sadly, I’ve had personal experience in my family of what can happen in the worst circumstances with the devastating loss of my niece.
In Scotland, we know that the wellbeing of our youth has drastically declined over the past ten years.1 The impact of the pandemic, poverty and social media are just three contributing factors. It’s never been more important that we intervene as early as possible, especially when we know that around half of mental health problems develop by the mid-teens, and three-quarters by the mid-twenties.2
We have to help our young people. If we put the effort into helping them now, we can change their future –they won’t be in prison, unemployed, unengaged in our society. Most importantly, they won’t be in distress.
I believe our young people are so ableit’s just about confidence. That’s what good support can develop. So it’s wonderful to see such lovely examples of young people working to help others, to change their lives, to focus on their futures, and to develop their own wellbeing in this issue of Quest.
Kate Kate
1. Marini, C. (2022). Children and young people’s mental health in Scotland. Scottish Parliament digital publications. bit.ly/42IpSHD
2. Elliott, I. (2016). Poverty and Mental Health: A review to inform the Joseph Rowntree Foundation’s Anti-Poverty Strategy. London: Mental Health Foundation. bit.ly/3CEIa24
CHRISTMAS ROUND-uP
Young people stepped into the new year with hope thanks to support from you.
Thanks to donations to our Christmas Appeal, we were able to provide goodies like boxes of chocolates, cosy blankets, and personalised gifts.
Service Manager Julia was the face of this year’s campaign, and her team put together a gift hamper for each young person they support. In the days leading up to Christmas staff got out and about and delivered the gifts to them in their allocated tenancies.
The experience was an emotional one for everyone and Julia emailed the fundraising team to let them know.
To: hello@quarriers.org.uk Subject: Christmas gifts
Hi!
Just wanted to say I already just had a call from a young person: Conner called me to say thank you for the gifts. He explained he is staying at home for Christmas with his dog so really appreciates it, said it is the only present he will receive. Also said the sweets are his favourite. Said he doesn’t like asking for things.
This was the first bag we’ve dropped off so it’s going to be emotional again.
Speak soon
Julia
QUarriers REACH service update
REACH, a pioneering initiative developed in partnership with Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership and Glasgow’s Educational Psychology services, has made significant strides in addressing school absenteeism. Positive outcomes of the pilot mean the service will now receive funding for the next two years.
School absenteeism in Scotland has reached alarming levels, with nearly one in three students persistently absent. In some areas, this figure rises to 40%, a significant increase from pre-pandemic numbers.
This issue not only disrupts a child’s education but also affects family life, with many parents struggling to navigate the challenges of getting their children into school, which in
turn often impacts their own ability to sustain employment.
What sets REACH apart is a flexible and responsive approach - meeting children and young people where they are emotionally and helping them build the confidence and resilience necessary to attend school regularly.
When 12-year-old Hannah was referred, she had missed most
Hannah and Ashly
of her primary school education. Hannah, who is autistic, struggled with the noise, busyness and sensory overload of the school environment. It led to anxiety and refusal to attend school. But with the support of a REACH worker, Hannah’s transition back to school was gradual and compassionate.
Hannah’s mother, Ashly, reflects on the transformation, saying, “I had tried everything to get Hannah to school. When the REACH support worker first visited us at home, she would sit outside the door of Hannah’s room. It took six weeks for Hannah to even speak to her.”
The process unfolded gradually, continuing with visits to primary school, where Hannah would spend an hour each day with her worker in a quiet room, engaging in activities like crafts and games. Then during the summer before Hannah transitioned to secondary school, she and her worker spent several days at the school, baking cakes and enjoying each other’s company. This helped Hannah build confidence in a relaxed and fun environment.
After almost two years, Hannah’s worker has gradually got her to a point where she is attending her S1 secondary school class most days.
“Hannah gets herself ready and gets herself organised for school. It is a big difference,” says Ashly.
Colin Simpson, Service Manager for REACH, explains what the team have found to be the key to the programme’s success: “It takes time
to give a child the support that they need. It takes a lot of effort and energy and a really, really well-established relationship.”
The programme has worked with about 200 children in its first two years. With more secure funding, next steps include tackling a waiting list of 400 young people and sharing learnings with other agencies involved in the issue. As the REACH service moves into its next phase, it offers hope for many families.
The help I’ve had has been amazing. When I die (in about a thousand years!) I’m going to leave something in my will to Quarriers, because I want as many people as possible to have the help that I’ve had.
Kaitlin
Twenty-year-old Kaitlin has already left a legacy. When she was 13 and supported by Quarriers, her thoughtfulness sparked an idea that still helps other young people.
When Kaitlin first came to be supported by Quarriers Families Matter service eight years ago, she was one of over 4,000 children in Scotland who live with a family member other than their parents in a formal kinship care arrangement.
Kaitlin says, “I had a good and bad childhood. My mum wasn’t well, so my brother and I were in care with my grandparents. Living with my gran was perfect. She’s a good soul. She’d do anything for you.”
But coming to a support service isn’t an easy process for young people. Kaitlin remembers the slow process of connection clearly: “I remember my first day ever coming to Quarriers.
Quarriers have been amazing. They reassure you that every family is different, but they’re all also the same. Kaitlin
“I was so shy! I didn’t know what it was, but I ended up thriving. I loved the staffmy support worker was always giving me advice. It was like having a good friend.”
Activity days and residential trips are key elements in support for young people. After Kaitlin had been on a residential trip herself, it was her brother’s turn. That’s when a suggestion from Kaitlin led to the development of a peer support programme that is still thriving. Kaitlin explains, “My brother was so shy, so I asked if I could attend his activity day and help him, and that’s how the peer support started.”
Operational Manager Tracy Rigley says, “Kaitlin’s suggestion led the team to embed a program that saw older children helping out with younger ones. That has developed even more so that now we have a structured pathway for young people to become peer mentors, and then, once they are older, to become a volunteer. It brings young people on so much and gives them valuable experience. We’re about to see the second young person come through that process and become a volunteer. Kaitlin has been the trailblazer.”
Although no longer supported by the service, Kaitlin still attends service activities to help and support young people in her official capacity as a volunteer. She’s keenly aware of the power of peer support for children and young people who are both supported and supporter: “Being on an activity as a peer mentor is different - you feel more responsible and you have to help the young people to come out of their comfort zones, especially if they are shy.
Kaitlin is just an all-round supportive young person and has such a nurturing approach.
Tracy Rigley, Operational Manager
“But they do come out of their shells and it’s amazing to see. I love it!”
As other young people benefit from Kaitlin’s legacy, she hopes to continue to make a difference, and is studying to be a social worker. She says, “I have good experience of working with children and young people now, and I want to work with children and also their families. I have so much to thank Quarriers for.”
PictUre this
Quarriers stories through the lens
Meet great friends Emma and Elizabeth. They have shared a home at Quarriers supported living service ABC since they moved in together during Covid. Having company and friendship makes life better for both of them, and they love to have their morning cuppa and a bun!
The investment in Christopher has given him so much self-belief.
Kate, Christopher's mentor
DJ MAAC • A Quarriers success story
Christopher is aiming high. He’s working towards a career as a DJ and is a very different young man from the one who came to Quarriers intandem service six years ago to be matched with volunteer mentor, Kate.
intandem matches young people between the ages of 8 and 14 who are care-experienced with volunteer mentors. Taking part in weekly activities gives young people the chance to make positive connections with reliable adults. Kate Spurway was matched with Christopher when he was 11 and although the requirement is to volunteer for only one year, Christopher has been happy to have her in his life in the six years since.
Early days
Kate says, “At the beginning, Christopher wasn’t easy! As soon as I met him, I knew he had undiagnosed ADHD. He was upfront, outspoken, black and white in his thinking. There were times it was a challenge.
But I could also see he’s a creative, gentle soul.”
Christopher’s own reflections of that time in his young life are disarmingly honest: “I was a real nightmare, but I’ve managed to sort myself out now. Going on the activities like go-karting kept me out of the street and out of trouble.”
With Kate’s prompting, Christopher started to set goals for himself, and it’s that goal setting that has made a difference.
“Right from the start, he knew what his first goal would be – ‘I want to make friends’, says Kate. “But he needed some guidance, so we’d go to the park and watch other young people interacting with their friends
The scrapbook Kate made of the early days shows a growing relationship that in turn helped Christopher to grow and develop.
All the activities Christopher wanted to do were adrenaline-based!
Kate
“Now, he’s got so many friends. It makes me so proud and pleased for him.”
Growing through connection
Six years in, the relationship is vital for both of them. “I’ve been alongside Christopher in different times,” says Kate. “He has been in crisis – he had to leave his house and was sleeping on a floor of a relative. They said to me, ‘You’re his first port of call.’”
“The more I got to know Kate, the better it was,” says Christopher. “She’s a good listener.”
When asked for three words to describe Kate, he says, “I’m going to say a word I just learned yesterday –conscientious. Also, friendly and loving. She’s more like an auntie now.”
Now, Christopher has settled on a huge dream. He says, “My uncle took me to see a big-name DJ play and
Supporters play their part
Quarriers annual Children’s Appeal raises funds to provide activities, helping young people make great memories and relax, as well as access hobbies and develop skills.
When Christopher’s interest in DJing grew, Kate and the team at the intandem service were able to access funding for Christopher to attend six sessions at a music studio where he could practice DJing skills.
Christopher is an amazingly talented young person who over the past year has overcome many challenges. The cost of the music sessions is more than the service budget can afford.
Excerpt from the first application.
Christopher says, “The equipment at the studios is professional equipment so it means I’ve been able to practice, and that’s helped me to get five paid gigs in the space of a year. Hopefully I just keep skyrocketing.”
Even though thumping beats are not exactly Kate’s cup of tea, she can see the flame it has lit in him. None of it would have been possible without the funding.
Kate says, “By helping Christopher access DJ practice sessions, people who donated to the Children’s Appeal have done something amazing. They have helped Christopher develop skills he just couldn’t have had access to otherwise, and they’re also helping him feel that his choice to do music is valid.”
A bright future
Christopher now hopes to start a course in music production later this year. It’s just one element of a life that is taking a different course than it might have.
“Christopher was on the brink of becoming a problem for society,” says Kate. “Now, he’s the youngest person signed up by the Mono Events agency. He’s only looking forward.
He has done it all, and I’m incredibly proud of him.”
Christopher says, “Once you’ve set out your goals, you have to follow through. I’m not doing what I used to do. My mum is happy that I’ve
managed to do this instead of what some boys my age are doing. I have to put in the work now to get to where I want to be – a famous DJ and producer!”
I have to put in the work now to get to where I want to be.
Christopher
a fUndraising adventure
The Arrochar Alps Challenge is calling you!
Date
Saturday 14th June 2025
Ticket
Adults £30, 18 and under £15
Contact
events@quarriers.org.uk
Magnificent scenery, the thrill of scaling iconic Scottish mountains, and a feeling of making a big difference to the people we support –what could be better?
We invite you to join us for the Arrochar Alps Challenge, where you’ll climb between one and three iconic Scottish mountains, taking in some of the most stunning natural beauty Scotland has to offer.
For this exciting one-day adventure, Quarriers is partnering with Sport Ecosse Events, whose incredibly experienced mountaineers have been organising challenge events in the UK and across Europe for more than 20 years.
Sport Ecosse will guide us through the bonnie summits of Ben Narnain, Ben Ime, and the Cobbler (Ben Arthur).
Don’t miss out – sign up today for this iconic challenge and experience the beauty of Scotland like never before!
Why you’ll love the Arrochar Alps Challenge
Beautiful scenery Choose your difficulty
Experienced guides Bring your dog
Meet new friends
Make a big difference
It’s a fantastic day out. The views are absolutely outstanding and The Cobbler especially is a really iconic hike. You’ll be seeing Scotland in a completely different way.
Kevin Gerrie, Sport Ecosse
Choose your challenge
1 peak
Take on The Cobbler. With no rocky sections, this is a relatively straightforward and safe option for those without as much experience of hill walking. The route involves 6 miles of walking on, at times, rough terrain with 2,919 feet gained.
2 peaks
The 2 Peaks option will include both Ben Narnain and The Cobbler. This is still a challenging option for those with a good level of fitness and a good level of experience of hill walking. This takes in 8 miles of walking with a total of 4,330 feet gained.
3 Peaks
The amazing 3 Peaks will take in Ben Narnain, Ben Ime, and The Cobbler. It covers 11 miles with a total of 6,250 feet gained. This challenge is aimed at experienced hill walkers with a very good level of fitness.
