Our open programme in Highland is normally advertised to the general public and organised either by a member of our staff or through our local associations. These courses are subsidised by our local authority partners Highlife Highland through a Service Level Agreement. Our open programmes and courses sometimes have a small fee to attend which is paid for by the individual learners.

Mindkind

The aim of the walking group is to get folk out and about in Aberdeen City and Shire and to explore some of the beautiful countryside the north east of Scotland has to offer. The aim is to widen social circles, provide structure, improve health, both physically and mentally, and introduce those who participate to the great outdoors. Literacy and numeracy skills are also improved through planning walks and working out speeds and distance travelled.

We aim to enable a positive group experience by providing a communal art space where artists can share ideas, work on projects and improve their creative practices. The goal is that the group will be peer led; allowing a less structured approach to sessions and allowing a potential sense of ownership within the group itself. At the core of the course is simply a safe space to make art with like minded individuals.

The aim of the JMA is for those involved to gain a better insight into their natural surroundings and this in turn raises confidence and self esteem levels. It also gives those who engage a better idea of the challenges we face in the great out doors in keeping a natural balance between humans and mother nature.

The aims of the gardening project are to help those who engage grow fresh fruit and vegetables in a safe and secure environment. It shows the importance of eating fresh food and also shows how cheap it can be therefor leading onto improved budgeting skills and an increased in confidence. It also shows how easy it is to grow your own food and that you don’t need a big out door space.

The aim of the football project is to offer a diversion from the day to day problems many of those who participate face. It helps those who are going through problems with substance misuse to stay ‘clean’ because of the physical nature of the activity. It keeps folk both mentally and physically fit therefor improving mental health issues. It also helps to improve literacy and numeracy skill through pricing pitch hire and working on tactics.

The project aim is to get those who are facing difficulty in over coming the barriers they are facing to employment. It doesn’t just focus on creating cvs and cover letters but looks at the whole process holistically.

The Environmental Art class is designed to get learners out and about and at one creatively with Mother Nature. Our aim is to explore the long standing links between the outdoors, therapeutic art and overall wellbeing. We provide an opportunity for inclusive and supportive group work, where learners can experience art making in a natural environment. The course improves confidence and broadens art practices whilst raising better awareness of our great outdoors.

The project aim is to help those who participate in learning how to work to a budget, improve literacy and numeracy skills, widen social circles and cook healthy meals.

The advocacy service is for those who may be having problems finding the appropriate service for their needs, for those who may not be understanding any paper work they have received or for folk who need help contacting the relevant people in, for example, the housing department of the local council. It is also a service that offers advice and signposting.