Care-experienced youngsters in Dundee developing tech skills in new YMCA workshops

A project described as the first-of-its kind in Scotland is aiming to give new skills to young people with care experience through the medium of technology.

A series of workshops are to be rolled out in Dundee.

Led by the charity YMCA, the scheme aims to provide youngsters with an insight into the tech industry.

“When you come into a circuit hub, you’ll be learning how to create posters, podcasts or game coding,” said Peter Gilchrist, Circuit national lead at YMCA Scotland.

“But you’ll also be learning how to open and save documents. How do you navigate the internet, how do you make presentations, how do you use internet tools?

“These things will hopefully set people up for the rest of their life to be an active and engaged citizen.”

The programme has been co-designed by those with experience of growing up in care, such as 27-year-old Curtis.

He believes the workshops can support youngsters who lack confidence.

He said: “I know myself, I can now go up to people that I wouldn’t have been able to before and say ‘hi, I’m Curtis, this is what I do’.

“Before, I just couldn’t go up and talk to people. I know it is possible to get the confidence to do that.”

Based at Dundee’s Keiller Centre, the 12-week programme will begin next week.

It’s aim is to allow youngsters to learn in an environment where they feel comfortable.

“My experience growing up was I didn’t have a peer group,” said Sorcha Pringle, who’s also helped co-design the programme.

“Being able to meet with people who have similar and different experiences to me would have been really valuable.”