Positive Destinations is an early intervention programme that uses sport and physical activity to help young people overcome barriers and progress towards positive futures. For the past 14 years, it has supported young people across Edinburgh and is delivered by a dedicated team of four staff.
Working with young people aged 13 and over, the programme delivers up to eight courses each year, providing tailored support to help participants build confidence and progress towards various developmental pathways. Supporting Edinburgh Leisure’s mission to improve lives through physical activity and reduce inequalities, the programme engages young people who are disengaged from, or at risk of disengaging from, education, employment or training. It creates pathways into volunteering, leadership, further education, training and employment.
Delivered across schools and community settings, Positive Destinations tailors support to individual needs, including those of young people with Additional Support Needs (ASN). Working alongside schools, community organisations, employers and The King’s Trust, the programme creates sustainable progression routes beyond participation. This year, Positive Destinations delivered 8 courses, engaging 76 young people, with 69 successfully
completing their programme.
Through a partnership with The King’s Trust, 13 young people gained accredited sports coaching
qualifications, three progressed into opportunities with Edinburgh Leisure and a further 12 are enrolled on a Sports Leaders Level 5 qualification.
“This course was a great success for the pupils who attended. Active Communities instructors created a welcoming environment which enabled pupils to grow in confidence and develop leadership skills.” Sarah Murphy, Active Schools Coordinator
Positive Destinations supports local and national priorities to reduce inequalities, improve employability and help young people access positive destinations. Contributing to the Scottish Government’s No One Left Behind approach, Developing the Young Workforce agenda and City of Edinburgh Council priorities, it supports young people disengaged from, or at risk of disengaging from, education, employment or training.
The programme builds confidence, skills and resilience while improving mental wellbeing, social inclusion and reducing barriers to opportunity. This year, Positive Destinations delivered 8 courses (33% ahead of target), engaging 76 young people (27% ahead of target), with 69 completing their course (38% ahead of target).
The Programme offers progression pathways of varying lengths and levels, enabling young people to develop confidence and skills at their own pace. Opportunities include the Young Leaders Award, SCQF Level 5 Community Sports Leadership qualification and Coaching Academy, with routes into volunteering, work experience and employment.
Through a partnership with The King’s Trust, 13 young people gained accredited sports coaching qualifications and three progressed into opportunities with 1 moving into full-time employment and 2 into volunteer roles.
A further 12 participants are currently enrolled on a Sports Leaders Level 5 course. The programme has delivered specific ASN Young Leaders courses across city schools including Westfield, Woodlands, Pilrig Park and Kaimes.
Pupils from these courses have gained the confidence to support the delivery of physical activity sessions within their schools, helping address the limited resources available for children with ASN.
The greatest impact is seen in participants’ increased confidence, motivation and aspirations. Many begin the programme lacking belief in their abilities and feeling disconnected from learning or
employment pathways.
Through leadership opportunities, accredited learning and supportive relationships with staff, participants gain skills, qualifications and a renewed sense of purpose. One education partner reflected that participants grew in confidence as sports leaders, with two young people subsequently put forward to become Young Ambassadors for their school. Positive Destinations benefits from strong partnerships with schools, community organisations and The King’s Trust, creating sustainable referral routes and progression pathways into qualifications, volunteering and employment.
Josh Ward Josh first joined Edinburgh Leisure 8 years ago through Positive Destinations, our employability programme for young people facing barriers to education, training and employment. At the time, he lacked opportunities, financial security and positive influences.
Reflecting on his experience, Josh (pictured) said: “The positive destination course for me was an opportunity to get a job and better myself as school wasn’t for me. I did work experience at Edinburgh leisure and heard about the course and signed up. It gave me something to look forward to. It was also good to work with people similar situation to me who are trying to better themselves too and connect over the course and share our story.”
The programme’s proven delivery model can be replicated in new schools and communities and, with continued demand, has significant potential to support more young people across Edinburgh.
Staff from partner organisations see it as an essential service for children and young people, particularly those struggling in mainstream classes or on reduced timetables. As one Education Partner noted, “We have been very fortunate to have Positive Destinations courses across Edinburgh schools for pupils with additional support needs.”
Positive Destinations is built on strong, long-standing partnerships with schools, community organisations and The King’s Trust, creating sustainable referral routes and progression pathways for young people.
We will continue to strengthen these relationships to ensure the programme reaches those who need it most and remains responsive to changing local needs.
The programme’s strong engagement, completion and progression rates provide a solid foundation for continued investment and future growth.
Positive Destinations has also benefited from support from The Gannochy Trust, whose investment has helped us continue delivering high-quality opportunities for young people facing barriers to employment, education, and training.
Alongside grant funding, we will continue to secure essential income through Edinburgh Leisure’s dedicated fundraising team and fundraising strategy. This will be supported by continued investment from Edinburgh Leisure, demonstrating the organisation’s long-term commitment to supporting young people and ensuring the programme remains accessible to those who need it most.
Ongoing monitoring and evaluation will enable us to demonstrate impact, evidence demand and secure future investment. Participant feedback and outcome data will continue to inform programme delivery, ensuring it remains relevant and responsive to young people’s needs.
By maintaining a flexible delivery model and building on our strong record of accomplishment of engagement, completion, and progression, we will ensure Positive Destinations continues to provide meaningful opportunities for young people across Edinburgh.
Positive Destinations continues to evolve in response to the needs of young people and partner organisations. A Sports Leaders course is planned from September this year, alongside an ASN Young Leaders course at Westfield High School (formerly Gorgie Mills).
We are working towards delivering a further Coaching Academy in summer 2027. While the programme already works with schools across Edinburgh, there are opportunities to strengthen links with special schools through closer collaboration with Active Schools Coordinators.
This will help create pathways for young people to volunteer within their own school communities, including supporting lunchtime clubs and school events.
The programme also plans to work more closely with Edinburgh Leisure sites, particularly flagship venues such as Meadowbank Sports Centre, to identify volunteering opportunities for at least two young people.
By building on established partnerships and creating new progression routes, Positive Destinations is well placed to support even more young people to develop confidence, gain experience and achieve positive futures.
A key strength of the programme is its structured progression pathway, which supports young people to develop leadership skills through the Young Leaders Award, gain accredited qualifications at SCQF Level 5, progress through the Coaching Academy and move into volunteering, training and employment opportunities.
