Fostering Belief - Spotlight on Ferrywell Youth Project

At KPE4, our work is organised around four strategic pillars: Nail the Basics, One Champion, Foster Belief and Collaborate. They are inspired by Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs and reflect the different types of support young people need to thrive.

Fostering Belief means helping young people to believe in themselves and recognise their potential. It involves creating opportunities that build confidence, raise aspirations and open the door to new possibilities.

Across Pilton and Muirhouse, our Core Charities are helping young people build that belief every day. One of those organisations is the Ferrywell Youth Project.

With a team of around six staff and 25 volunteers, Ferrywell is a faith-based group reaching up to 250 young people in the local community each week. Working closely with local schools, the organisation focuses on building trusted relationships, maintaining a consistent presence and creating safe spaces where young people feel comfortable asking for help.

Being based within the local community, on Pennywell Road, is central to this approach. Young people know where to find Ferrywell and can drop in when they need guidance or support.

Support takes many forms. Some young people are referred for weekly one-to-one sessions, while others engage through drop-in sessions, youth groups and activities delivered both in and out of school. Whatever the setting, the focus is on helping young people navigate challenges, make positive choices and feel empowered to shape their own futures.

"Fostering belief starts with creating a safe space where young people feel heard, valued and supported." John Gillan, Project Lead, Ferrywell Project

This work often begins early and continues throughout a young person's school journey, including the important transition from primary to secondary school. Using unrestricted funding from KPE4, Ferrywell recently brought together pupils from local primary schools for two full activity days. Held early in Primary 7, around 70-80 children attended each day and took part in a range of outdoor activities designed to build relationships, encourage teamwork and help them feel more prepared for the move to secondary school.

Perhaps one of the clearest examples of Ferrywell's impact is that many of its volunteers first came through its programmes as young people themselves. Having benefited from those relationships and opportunities, they now help create the same experience for others. Their stories demonstrate the lasting impact that encouragement, opportunity and a sense of belonging can have.