Dave Thompson MSP

Dave Thompson, SNP MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch recently (08/09/15) sponsored a “Columba 1400” event in the Parliament, which shared key findings from an impact report which has been carried out by Glasgow University Training and Research Unit’s on Columba 1400’s work, the research for which was made possible via funding from Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

Columba 1400, based in Skye and Loch Lomond, works with young people from urban and often challenging environments to help release their potential.

Mr Thompson said, “It was a fascinating insight to be able to sponsor Columba 1400 in the Parliament. I had been aware of the great work that Columba does, primarily in Skye, but I was unaware to the extent by which they have transformed people’s lives.

“Over the last 15 years Columba 1400 has provided positive life changing experiences for over 6,000 individuals, supporting young folk and their families, strengthening leadership skills, and opening up a future that many never thought possible prior to their time spent at the Columba 1400 base in Skye and in their second location at Loch Lomond”.

Chief Executive of Columba 1400, Jack Ryan said, “We at Columba 1400 are ambitious about our future and have set ourselves ambitious targets for the next 5 years focused squarely on the delivery of programmes for the ‘harder to reach young people’ across Scotland – aiming for a 35% increase in the number of places available at our home on Skye and in our second location at Ardoch, Loch Lomond”.