Scottish youth hostelling charity launches initiative reviving funded breaks for disadvantaged young people and families

An organisation that runs youth hostels across Scotland is launching an initiative to provide free stays for disadvantaged young people and families.

Article Source: Hostelling Scotland
Last Updated: 24 March 2025 12:29

Hostelling Scotland, a registered charity with 29 youth hostels and 24 affiliate hostels across the country, has created Happy Hosteller Breaks as part of its longstanding commitment to supporting young people and communities.

The launch coincides with the fifth anniversary of the outbreak of Covid-19, which stymied the charity’s income and consequently restricted its youth action work.

Happy Hosteller marks the revival of its flagship residential programme, and comes after Hostelling Scotland funded more than 200 residential trips over the past decade, helping at least 6,000 people access unforgettable experiences.

The new initiative resumes this activity, supported by membership contributions and donations, and aimed at organisations such as schools, early years centres, registered charities in Scotland working with disadvantaged youngsters and families, and other youth groups.

Specific target groups include people living in areas of deprivation, young people receiving free school meals, young carers, refugee and migrant groups, young people in the care system or care leavers, LGBTQ+ support groups, and young people and families who have never had a residential experience due to cost or other barriers. The age range for youth groups is six to 25 years. Applications are open to youth groups, schools, early years centres and charitable organisations working with young people and families.

Applications open on March 24 and close on May 9 2025 for breaks taking place between September 2025 and June 2026. Successful applicants will be notified by June 6 2025.

Hostelling Scotland aims with Happy Hosteller Breaks to support and empower participants in accessing, and appreciating Scotland’s countryside, environment, natural heritage, and places of historic and cultural interest.

It also wishes to encourage initiatives that align with its values in promoting recreation, education, health, social responsibility, and inclusion.

Funding is being provided across three key categories:

• Nature & Environment – Explore Scotland’s landscapes, wildlife, and ecosystems.

• Culture & Historic Heritage – Discover the Scottish stories and cultural gems.

• Wellness & Play – Engage in physical and fun activities that promote health and self-discovery.

Relevant groups can apply to stay at one of over twenty hostels across Scotland, from the mountainous Cairngorm Lodge to the coastal Lochranza Youth Hostel on Arran. It’s not just about the great outdoors though, with groups also encouraged to apply for stays in Scotland’s vibrant cities, including Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Successful applicants will be given a stay of one to two nights, for groups numbering five to 25 participants plus leaders. While some catering is on offer, groups are also encouraged to consider cooking at least one meal themselves, to help young people develop their skills.

Accommodation will be in shared private rooms for young people with separate rooms for leaders, and bigger groups can be considered for Rentahostel funding, comprising the sole use of a whole hostel with no catering.

Hostelling Scotland since its formation in 1931 has aimed to make more of Scotland more accessible to more people than anyone else. As well as funded breaks for youth groups, the charity provides breaks for unpaid carers in partnership with Shared Care Scotland’s Respitality Project. It fosters an inclusive environment where guests feel welcomed, regardless of their culture, language, or background.

Heather Donald, who benefited from funded breaks previously, said: "Some of my happiest memories are from hostel trips in Scotland as a young person. They gave me a break from home, a chance to bond with friends in nature, and try new activities like hill walking, climbing, and canoeing: things I wouldn’t have experienced in my city.

These trips also helped me develop leadership skills and earn awards like the Dynamic Youth Award. The chance to gain accredited awards on these residential with my youth club were so important to me during my teenage years and really helped me get to where I am on my journey today. I am now proudly employed at the club that gave me all of these opportunities. It’s amazing that more young people will now get the chance to experience this too."

Youth Worker Connor McKee for Royston Youth Action Glasgow has said: “We have had the privilege of accessing the funds in the past for our young people on several occasions. We always chose the Aviemore Youth Hostel in the autumn as its picturesque location is so beautiful and it also allowed us easy access to surrounding activities and adventures that await.”

“We had built up a great relationship with the staff at the time and really loved bringing our young folks along, some of them who had only left the city for the first time and seen the highlands.”

“We are really happy to hear that the fund is coming back and look forward to hopefully returning to Aviemore one day soon to make more fantastic memories and provide more amazing life changing experiences for our young people.”

Youth Engagement Coordinator at Hostelling Scotland, Agathe Le Quere said: “We are very happy to launch the Happy Hosteller initiative, marking a significant milestone with the revival of our charitable support, something that has been a core part of our ethos from the get-go.

“Having previously offered funded breaks to those in need, we’ve seen how beneficial they are to participants, offering a change of scenery from what can be very challenging circumstances in welcoming accommodation in the best locations across Scotland.

“We’ve seen young people thrive in nature and interact with peers during such trips, which we feel are even more crucial in the wake of the pandemic and as the cost-of-living crisis continues to affect those from disadvantaged communities the most.

“Happy Hosteller underpins our core belief that hostelling isn’t just a place to stay – it can bring about real positive impact in communities. We believe in creating meaningful connections, allowing guests to experience the spirit of hostelling and become a part of our vibrant community.”

For more information, see www.hostellingscotland.org.uk

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