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Action Outdoors Officially Opens New Outdoor Classroom at 1st Birthday Party

The award-winning Action Outdoors Activity & Learning Centre in Falkirk officially opened its new outdoor classroom today, Friday 23 April 2010.

The classroom was built over the past year by young volunteers on the Green Action programme, including pupils from Carrongrange High School.

The opening of this unique learning venue coincides with the centre’s first birthday celebrations and the Lord Provost, Pat Reid will be on hand to mark the occasion.

Ten pupils from Carrongrange High School, a specialist school in the area, are looking forward to seeing their hard work unveiled at the opening. They have taken part in the 12-week Green Action youth volunteer training programme along with other young people over the past year.

Green Action is supported by the Voluntary Action Fund and Scottish Government Wider Role Fund, and provides opportunities for young people from Falkirk and surrounding areas to develop key employability skills as well as contributing to the local area through environmental projects. In addition to the ‘hard graft’ of landscaping, tree planting, maintenance and gardening, young volunteers on Green Action also use the canal on Action Outdoors’ doorstep to enjoy water based sports.

To date the programme has furthered the careers of many of the young people, with five previous programme attendees gaining employment and three heading into full time college education. Four students have also engaged in additional training to improve confidence and self esteem.

Karen Moore, development director, The Waterways Trust Scotland, said “We are thrilled with the new outdoor classroom. This is a brilliant achievement for all involved and something which everyone can benefit from. The craftsmanship involved in making the classroom is a real testament to the skills the young people are developing through their time on Green Action.

“Today is about celebrating the achievements over the past year, as well as the passion and dedication of staff, volunteers and the young people and children who make the Action Outdoors Centre and its programmes an integral part of community life.

“Everyone who comes along today and over the weekend will have a chance to see exactly what we do and how the centre contributes to the community.”

In addition to the official opening there will be a number of other activities throughout the morning including an environmental workshop with pupils from Westquarter Primary School, kayak and canoe demonstrations and tours of the facilities.

The celebrations will continue over the weekend as the centre throws its doors open for people living in the area to come along and try their hand at a host of outdoor activities, free of charge.

Green Action is supported by Linkwide (part of the Link group) and Paragon Housing Association through the Scottish Government Wider Role Fund. Sheila Maxwell, community regeneration officer for Linkwide said “Through the Green Action programme we know the difference initiatives like this can make to a young person’s life. The interaction, team working and skill development are key to providing opportunities that previously may not have materialised. Today provides a great opportunity to see what the young volunteers have achieved and how appreciated this is by the local community.”

BTCV Scotland (British Trust for Conservation Volunteers) which has been working with the volunteers on the programme said: “The volunteers have worked very hard on their programmes, and encountered some very challenging weather, particularly over the extended winter months. The new outdoor classroom is one of many achievements which volunteers will be able to recognise as their work around the local area.”

Action Outdoors is an innovative learning centre built by The Waterways Trust Scotland and managed by Falkirk Council. It offers young people in the area a host of healthy waterside activities, new experiences, the opportunity to meet new people and the chance to develop new skills. Its work has already received national recognition by winning a prestigious Waterways Renaissance Award.

Green Action is a collaborative effort between The Waterways Trust Scotland, BTCV Scotland, Action Outdoors, Falkirk Council and British Waterways Scotland. The volunteers receive employability support, support to gain Youth Achievement and John Muir Awards and advice and information on progressing to further education at Forth Valley College or Oatridge College.

The Green Action programme is now recruiting for the 24th May and 6th September intakes. Anyone interested should contact the Green Action Project on 01324 677809.

Action Outdoors’ first open weekend takes place on Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 April, 10am – 4pm. Members of the public are invited to come along and ‘have a go!’.