Kibble Admin, Author at Kibble: Specialist services & support for young people facing adversity
Posted: April 5, 2024

Pupils from Goudie Academy held their own music gig and impressed the crowd with cover songs and original tracks.

Young people formed a band called ‘The Kosmonauts’ who confidently took to the stage to showcase their talent. A total of six songs was performed LIVE to a full crowd.

A young band member shared how much fun was had, exclaiming how appreciative they were to everyone who had come along to watch ‘The Kosmonauts’: “I wish it had been longer, it went by really fast. I enjoyed playing all the songs with ‘Teenage Kicks’ being the best because we’d practiced that the most. I liked that everyone came to support us.”

Kibble’s Senior Funding Officer, Angela, attended and shared her awe at young peoples’ confidence and talent: “As soon as ‘The Kosmonauts’ walked onto the stage they acted like a professional band. The lead singer welcomed the us all straight away with a big “Hello, Paisley!” and asked if we wanted another song.”

At Kibble, there are many talented young people who thoroughly enjoy playing instruments, singing and song-writing. Through the Scottish Government’s Youth Music Initiative programme administered by Creative Scotland, the young musicians at Kibble received greater access to music-making through a range of fun workshops.

Prior to hosting their own music gig, young people of Kibble joined music workshops three-times-a-week. Everyone with an interest in music was invited to get involved – whether it was people with existing music-making skills, those who liked to sing or preferred to write their own song lyrics.

Each workshop was different. Some involved playing different instruments including drums, keyboard, guitar. Others were about the digital composition of music in the studio. All activities were designed for young people to experience what’s involved in building a career within the music industry.

As part of the Sounds Right Project, young people created their own record label, recorded themselves in the studio and produced a music video as well as host their own music gig. The performance demonstrated how valuable the music project has been in helping young people develop their skills that the funding is set to continue. Look out for ‘The Kosmonauts’ who are sure to have their name in lights.

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Goudie Academy pupils have opportunities to find a hobby or further develop a talent through out-of-school learning. Some pupils may select rock-climbing whereas others may spend the time getting involved with animal rights – which is what one young person has chosen to do.

At only thirteen years-old, one young pupil is certain their future involves helping animals. Their free-time is spent at the farm at Finlaystone Country Park with The Ark on the Clyde, a not-for-profit organisation dedicating to enhancing lives with animals and education.

The young person recently helped save baby lambs from an auctioneer. Instead, the lambs were taken to their new home at Finlaystone.

The young animal rights activist describes to us how the baby lambs are settling in: “I have always loved animals with my favourite being dogs, particularly a husky. My favourite thing to do is to spend time at Finlaystone Country Park and help at their farm where they have sheep, goats, guinea pigs and more. There are ducklings – one is called, Kiwi as it is brown and furry.”

 “I helped the farm save twin lambs from an auction. We named them Evan and Oreo. Evan, the lamb, initially refused to eat. He was weak and moving very little. I held the lamb and comforted him by putting my head against his head and tried to help feed him. Evan began to trust me and realised I was friendly, he even started to follow me around. Now, Evan runs around and is playful – he has plenty of other sheep as pals.”

 “A lot of work goes into caring for lambs as we need to pick them up and double-check they are all healthy and well – the main thing to look out for is a limp or if there are any injuries that need any antibiotic spray.”

 “I visit the lambs and other animals up to three times a week and have learned so much about what is involved in looking after pets. I would love to get a job at the farm but I am now aware of all the tasks that need to be done and know it would be harder work than school.”

Posted: April 4, 2024

Kibble is looking for volunteers to organise fun activities for young people aged 5-12 years old at the Forest View Campus in Lochwinnoch. If you’re an enthusiastic, outgoing and friendly individual, apply now.

About the Volunteering Opportunity

You can volunteer with us and help deliver a programme of outdoor, after school and school holiday activities at our children’s residential houses in Lochwinnoch. Whether you have a skill to share through your own hobby and talent, or if you’re happy to be on-hand to help the existing team, you can join in with the fun.

Currently young people enjoy gymnastics, football as well as arts and crafts. Everyone thoroughly looks forward to spending time together and there’s lots of laughter as we play and learn. Young people have discovered new activities to enjoy. We’re hoping to further increase the number of choices for young people with help from fun volunteers like yourself. What game, activity, sport or outing would you suggest? 

The schedule of events is part of Kibble’s Strengthening Minds project funded by The National Lottery Community Fund, which aims to support the wellbeing of children and connect them to their local community.

Why Volunteer at Kibble?

This is an incredible volunteering opportunity in Lochwinnoch as you’ll have the privilege of playing a part in a child’s life. You will be responsible for helping young people discover new hobbies and encourage them to take part in Lochwinnoch’s community festivals and local fayres. It is a rewarding role where you will see young people grow in self-esteem and self-confidence.

Young people have thoroughly enjoyed trying new hobbies.

Apply now to Volunteer

If you are interested in getting involved or would like to find out more, please email: communications@kibble.org.

Visit our Volunteering Page

News You May Find Interesting

Say Hello to Our New Volunteers at Kibble | Introducing the individuals who have gifted us their time. Learn more.

Discover Forest View’s Summer Adventures | Find out how we spent the summer. Read the full story.

Forest View Took Part in Saving Energy Day | Let’s discuss the impact of energy use on our environment. Visit our news.

Posted: April 3, 2024

The Skills Academy Open Day

Date and time: Friday 26th April, 10am – 12.30pm (Arrival from 9.30am)
Venue: The Skills Academy, Montrose Avenue, Hillington Park, Glasgow

You’re invited to experience what The Skills Academy has to offer. Visit Kibble’s education and training centre run in partnership with St Mirren Football Club where young people attend to gain qualifications, complete practical projects and achieve work placements. The experience ultimately helps strengthen their employability skills. The modern facilities include dedicated in-house and corporate training areas too.

About The Open Day

The Skill’s Academy Open Day is a chance for local business owners and existing partners to visit, as well as young people who are thinking of enrolling and staff members from Kibble who have not yet had the chance to see inside the academy for themselves. The impressive space has bespoke workshop areas including an operational car mechanics garage, a large commercial catering kitchen, classrooms, offices and meeting space. There are a vast range of subject choices available to young people with a dedicated team on-hand to help fulfil career development goals.

Learn about The Skills Academy

Local businesses can become a Skills Academy Business Partner

You can meet The Skills Academy team

About The Skills Academy

Kibble understands the need for education programmes to reflect the demands of today’s fast-paced world. The Skills Academy has developed a varied curriculum to motivate young people and encourage entrepreneurial spark, a sound understanding of finance and problem-solving skills. Further qualifications, apprenticeships and work placements are all possible through The Skills Academy. Our priority is to equip young people with confidence and self-belief, all to help them access the resources and tools to find and sustain employment in a job role they thoroughly enjoy.

Join us on Friday 26th April for a fun day. Hear direct from our young people, explore the different qualifications and work placements available and learn about our social enterprises. You’ll also enjoy a delicious buffet by our own established catering team.

Click here to RSVP

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Posted: March 20, 2024

All school pupils are invited to attend our careers event in Hillington, Glasgow.

The Skills Academy is Kibble’s education and training centre, which supports young people gain the skills, qualifications and experience necessary to find and sustain employment. The varied curriculum, supportive learning environment and focus on entrepreneurship helps young learners to build illustrious careers. The academy’s annual Industry Day is an important date in our calendar. The careers event introduces school pupils to potential future employers.

📍 Industry Day at The Skills Academy, Hillington, Glasgow
📅 Thursday 18th April, 10am – 12pm

If you are a school interested in arranging for your pupils to attend, please email: communications@kibble.org

Recommended News

Discover more about last year’s Industry Day careers event.

Young people attending the academy built a sweet cart.

Students decorated St Mirren’s first-team changing room.

Posted: February 14, 2024

To mark the end of Children’s Mental Health Week 2024, pupils at Forest View Primary held a special fundraiser and raised a whopping £234 for mental health charity, Place2Be.

The pupils and teachers did an incredible job in putting on a bustling Fundraising Fayre complete with a home baking stall, nail bar, temporary tattoo parlour, wellbeing gifts, customised tote bags and much more. What’s more, each of the stall were managed by the children who greeted all who attended with a friendly smile and handled the money and change – young entrepreneurs in the making!

Education Manager Elizabeth McDonagh commented:

“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you who made it to the Forest View Fayre this morning. It was so lovely to welcome you and we are all really appreciative of you taking time out of your busy schedules to attend. The children loved the experience of it all 🙂

“Well done to all the adults and children for their creativity and efforts. There was a lovely atmosphere when I popped up and everyone appeared to be having a really nice time.” Deborah Burke, Service Manager.

A lovely way to kick-start the weekend and a great amount of money which will go towards supporting children’s mental health across the UK. Well done team Forest View, we are all very proud of you!

Posted: February 12, 2024

Pupils and adults took part in Saving Energy Day to learn more about the impact energy usage has on our environment. Pupils, teachers, Chef Cammie and more all got involved.

Forest View Primary Teacher, Heather, explained how everyone spent their day: “Myself and the other teachers all incorporated energy usage, environmental sustainability and climate control into our lessons. Pupils experienced what school was like without the use of technology. We also used less electricity in the classroom with lower lighted instead of the main overhead lighting. Young people enjoyed the novelty of not using electricity and were open to learning with different resources.”

“Younger pupils took part in quizzes and crosswords and when learning about renewable energy, they built windmills using cardboard tubes and straws to replicate wind power.”

“Forest View is a therapeutic primary school with plenty of outdoor garden areas and farmyard animals. Outside brings plenty of opportunities to learn more about the natural environment too.”

“Chef Cammie who is already mindful of climate change, took the time to spot even more ways he could get involved and potentially use even less electricity. There are small things everyone can do when preparing food in the kitchen to use less energy and Cammie has made great efforts to consistently carryout each action. His lunch menu included a pot of Lentil soup and tasty sandwiches.”

“Overall the day was a success and gave us an opportunity to discuss our environment and the future of renewable energy. We’re now more than ever determined to stick to our climate actions.”

All at Kibble understand the importance of the world moving towards a greener and more sustainable way of life. As an organisation we are increasingly taking action to reduce our contribution to the carbon footprint. Kibble’s Goudie Academy achieved the prestigious Eco Schools Green Flag award, and across all locations, young people have helped create posters and stickers to remind us all to play our own part in switching lights off when we leave the room. By taking part in Saving Energy Day, it reminds us to make an even greater effort each day.

Posted: February 6, 2024

We’re delighted to announce the opening of Cochrane House, Kibble’s latest residential children’s house based at our Paisley campus. 

Cochrane house is comprised of three individual houses, offering two 3-bedroom and one 4 -bedroom accommodation for young people of secondary school age. The houses are warm, welcoming and modern in style, and each has been sensitively designed by our inhouse designer to reflect the needs of young people with experience of trauma. 

Homes Designed to Care

Each of our three houses has been designed in line with Kibble’s Therapeutic, Trauma-Informed Model. Echoed across our services, this ensures all aspects of young people’s care, from the nature-inspired interiors, tranquil gardens, skilled staff teams and seamless integration with other services, promotes an environment where young people are safe.

As with all of our houses, the rhythms and routines at Cochrane House are typical of traditional family-living, with comfortable and modern living rooms, and large kitchen/dining areas to prepare and enjoy mealtimes together. There are spaces for young people to play computer games, watch films or curl up on the sofa with a book and a hot chocolate. All bedrooms are ensuite with walk in showers, and there is a is a large shared bathroom in each house. The houses have been designed to draw the outdoors in, with large bi-folding doors bathing the rooms in natural light and leading onto landscaped gardens.  

Take a Tour of Cochrane House

Photo Gallery

To enquire about residential places at Cochrane House, please contact 0141 889 0044 or email referrals@kibble.org.

Posted: February 1, 2024

Students at Kibble’s Skills Academy who are working towards painting and decorating qualifications completed St Mirren’s first-team changing rooms to the high standard expected from a professional football club.

Practical skills are essential for aspiring painter and decorators and the students were extremely motivated to put their techniques into practice. Their SCQF Level 4 qualification in Construction Craft and Technician involves learning about different paint types, paint brushes, plastering and how to apply the various paints. The design brief requested St Mirren’s iconic black and white stripes as a feature wall and all young painters excelled at the attention to detail required for the real-life construction project.

Skills Academy Instructor Paul gave credit to the students, sharing that their enthusiasm inspires him to be the best educator possible. He said: “Being able to provide young people with valuable work experience is an essential part of The Skills Academy’s purpose to equip young people with life-long skills and the self-belief to build a bright future for themselves.”

“The students completed the project with great professionalism.”

Instructor Paul

St Mirren’s first team changing room transformation is a tangible example of young peoples’ incredible achievements and joins the club’s training complex renovation and hospitality entrance refurbishment. Kibble’s partnership with St Mirren continues to develop a fun and engaging young workforce development programme, which empowers young people and enhances employability.

Look at the Finished Result

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Meet Skill’s Academy Instructor Paul who is mentoring young people in Painting and Decorating. Those interested in gaining qualifications in a valuable trade attend Kibble’s Skills Academy and complete work experience alongside experienced Painter Paul.

Skills Academy Instructor Paul has been a painter since leaving school and has redecorated houses, schools and various council buildings. Now he has his most fulfilling role yet, passing on trade skills to ambitious young people.

Together, young people and Paul carryout maintenance and developments at St Mirren Football Club’s SMISA Stadium and Training Complex. Recent projects completed by The Skills Academy involved redecorating the club’s first-team changing room at the stadium and renovating the floor at the training grounds.

“In my role at The Skills Academy, I have a purpose. I want to be the best version of myself and be a role model to young people.”

Instructor Paul

Instructor Paul continued, “At The Skills Academy, young people are given responsibilities to help carryout exciting practical projects – projects that motivate me and them! While I am always there to help them, young people themselves must also problem-solve and use their own initiative and they are extremely determined to finish any task to a highly professional standard.”

“It is fantastic to see young people grow in confidence and maturity due to their experience carryout our work placements.”

 “I was inspired to change my career during the global pandemic and the dedication shown by essential workers. I wanted to find a new a job and be someone who made a difference.”

“My daughter’s friend told me she wanted to grow up and be a Doctor. I asked, ‘Why?’ – and I must admit I thought she would mention the good salary. However, she replied, ‘to help people’.”

“I decided myself to re-evaluate the reason for going to work every day and to start a rewarding career that I was proud of.”

“It is a privilege to spend time with young people and hopefully help them build their own rewarding career.”

Watch Our Video

There’s lots of careers at Kibble including working at The Skills Academy, our education and training centre. Let Skills Academy Instructor, Paul tell you more.

Careers at Kibble

Paul shared, “I began my Career at Kibble by finding out about the new job through a friend. I was searching for jobs in Paisley, where I live and had heard about Kibble and when my friend explained the role, I knew I had to look further into Kibble’s career opportunities.”

“The role of Skill’s Academy Instructor answered my search for a meaningful and rewarding job. I enjoy coming to work.”

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