What we do
Around 96% of children and young people in Scotland have no church connection. So how can we help them to explore the Bible and respond to the significance of Jesus?
Working in and with Schools
We have a unique opportunity to work with primary and secondary schools through running SU groups, leading assemblies, working with chaplaincy teams and presenting Christmas and Easter activities. Our Classroom Outdoors programme also gives the opportunity for teachers to bring pupils to one of our activity centres for an educational trip. All of this has the support of the Scottish Government.
We run day events and weekends away for children and young people throughout the year and also encourage and equip churches to engage with their local schools through the Serve Your Local School initiative.
Holidays
SU Holidays are a great opportunity for children and young people to make new friends, explore the Bible and grow in their faith whilst enjoying an action-packed week of adventure with other young people from across the country.
Each year we run around 40 holidays across Scotland during the Easter, summer and October breaks, including specialist ones for those interested in music, drama, creative arts and sports.
Missions
Alongside the holidays programme we partner with local churches to run missions and holiday clubs for children, young people and their families.
These are excellent opportunities to help churches serve their local community and share the Christian faith in a fun and exciting way.
Residential opportunities
Our two activity centres, Lendrick Muir and Alltnacriche, provide a great setting for many of our ministries. Throughout the year they host thousands of children and young people on school trips, regional weekends and holidays.
With a wide range of activities, excellent accommodation and facilities and expansive grounds, the centres also provide the ideal location for churches and other organisations to hold residential breaks.
Online discipleship
ignite is a discussion-centred social network which seeks to disciple young people, encourage them to delve into the Bible and see them grow in their faith.
Training and equipping
We run discipleship training programmes and events, such as COmMISSION, and gap year placements which equip people to live and share their faith in their communities, be role models for younger Christians, take on leadership roles within their schools, churches and SU Scotland activities, and take an interest in God's concern for Scotland and the wider world.
In addition to these events we provide training for adults who work with children and young people, including mission guidance and activity instruction.
Praying
Our desire is to see children and young people praying, meeting God and experiencing answers to prayer. Strictly Come Praying is an annual event, attracting over 400 young people, which encourages and equips young people to pray for their peers, families, Scotland and the wider world.
Alongside this event, the Prayer for Schools Scotland network encourages churches and individuals to pray for their local school, with the aim of making every school in Scotland a "prayed for" school.
Back to School with God is an annual service every August which encourages churches to support their children, young people and school staff as they begin a new academic year.
Prioritising the Disadvantaged
We believe God calls us to give special attention to those who are disadvantaged and marginalised, who might otherwise be overlooked.
Our Motiv8 programme is specifically aimed at reaching those who are disadvantaged. It works closely with churches and social workers, and includes school work, running weekends away, holidays and training events.
