Rachel and Ewen Make New Friends

Well, not really friends, more acquaintances. Over several days, the youth workers took time out alongside folks from fish farms, quarries, housing associations and hotels to brush up on their first aid knowledge and skills. With several 'practice' opportunities available, it didn't take long for bandages to be strewn all over the place! A lot of laughs were had, but crucially, vital first aid skills were updated, ever in the hope that they will not be required. Big thanks go to Terry and Ann for an intensive, educational and fun time. 

A Time of Remembrance at Oban High School

On Monday 11th November, Oban High School pupils set time aside to remember those who had made sacrifices for others in times of conflict. Pupils from last June's WW1 Battlefields Trip to Belgium and France shared thoughts on their experiences from the trip. The pupils were supported by Ewen Munro and Rev. James Beaton of the school Chaplaincy Team, as well as pupil members of the Air, Sea and Army Cadets. Invited guests from the British Legion joined the high school in 2 minutes silence, followed by the laying of a wreathe on the school's memorial board. Throughout the week previous week the OHS Chaplaincy team had hosted Chaplaincy Assembly week based on the theme 'Remember', using memorable film clips from previous OHS pupils and staff alongside an appropriate consideration of why we remember.

'Well done and thank you' from all on the chaplaincy team to all pupils and staff who took part in the Time of Remembrance.

Studio Time with Zoooom!

Zoooom!, the H2O creative photospace for young folk, have just had a wee bit of fun with studio lighting and, it has to be said, a bit of posing.

Under the experienced eye of Cameron Harris, the cameras were clicking away, as Zoooomers! got technical with the lighting kit.

And as can be seen from the pics, a lot of laughs were had by all.....such fun!

Chinwag 2013 with Folks from Argyll and Beyond!

In October, Kilbowie Outdoor Centre, Oban was the setting for Chinwag 2013, the overnight follow-up to events in 2006, 07, 08 and 2010.

Folks gathered from Argyll areas including Oban, Dalmally, Kilmelford, Seil, Lochgilphead, Tobermory, Islay, Coll, Rothesay, Dunoon and Campbeltown. Through Chinwag links with the Rank YARN network, attendees also travelled from Glasgow, Edinburgh, Galashiels, Berwick and Girvan.

The primary aims of Chinwag are that youth workers, leaders and volunteers can come together to glean ideas and activities to use with their groups as well as taking part in the crucial networking act of ‘Chinwagging’.

We were privileged that Jim Sweeney, Chief executive of Youthlink Scotland, could join us to share some of the wider Scottish youth work picture and to encourage those gathered in their valuable work alongside young folk. 

41 participants spent Saturday & Sunday in workshops on Funding Fundamentals, Volunteering, Starting Youth Work from Scratch, Outdoor Art, Exploring young peoples’ rights and responsibilities, Managing Challenging Behaviour, Young People & Spirituality, Why Games?, Reflection, Social Enterprise, Youth Work in Church, Legal High Awareness, Pocket Tool Kit for Youth Workers and Evaluation.

Chinwag 2013 was also an opportunity for Ewen Munro to share the vision of RAY, Rural Argyll Youthwork, a notion supported by the Rank Foundation to encourage the growth of voluntary youth work in rural Argyll.

A BIG thank you goes out to all our workshop hosts, participants, Kilbowie Outdoor Centre and funders for helping to make Chinwag 2013 a resounding success.