Unlocking Opportunities for Young People: Join the Movement with WorkingRite
Who we are
Empowering young people to break the cycle of poverty
WorkingRite’s focus is to close the gap in equality between those young people who are more academic, have supportive adults around them and live in the more affluent areas – and those who don’t. Our young people may not see themselves as disadvantaged – but they are the ones furthest from employment and at risk of becoming entrenched in the cycle of poverty as they enter adulthood.
The charity delivers a unique and bespoke programme for these young people that inspires and empowers them. It gives them the opportunity and potential to realise their aspirations, using the power of mentoring to support them into a successful, positive future.
Across Scotland, our programme bridges the gap between school and work. It gives young people essential work experience, provides good role models, builds their confidence and offers them a quality vocational alternative to academic learning.
Our Project Co-ordinators individually match a young person to a small business in their local community, where they learn valuable skills ‘on-the-job’, where it counts. Our ‘trainees’ are with their work placement provider for three to six months during which time they are guided by an older mentor in the business with continued support from their Project Co-ordinator. The goal is to secure a job or apprenticeship at the end of the placement – and 80% do!
What we do
Skills training and mentoring for Scotland's youth
WorkingRite supports young people, who face a variety of challenges, across Scotland – in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, East Ayrshire and Argyll & Bute. Our programme has three key pillars:
Earlier
Working with young people in S4, who have, for a multitude of reasons, disengaged from academic classroom-based learning in school, and introducing them to a positive and vocational route to employment.
Core
This is where we deliver an individually tailored programme of skills training and personal development, followed by a mentored work placement in an industry of their choice to gain the experience that will help them secure a job or apprenticeship.
Longer
Matching the young person with a carefully selected adult mentor who can offer real support and guidance as they enter adulthood and begin to develop the skills and understanding they need to transition to working life.
Success stories
Making a difference for Scotland’s Youth
WorkingRite is a charity that supports around 300 young people across Scotland every year. With partnerships, mentoring and relationships being key it engages young people, community organisations, local businesses and individuals. Together, we help young people who may be facing challenging circumstances to build their skills, confidence and support networks to enable them to transition from education to employment. 80% of those completing the programme are successful in securing a job or apprenticeship.
Shannon
Shannon was started the Pathfinder project in North West Glasgow in December 2021 and spent 22 weeks on the programme. Her placement with Marching Mutts led to an immediate job offer and she’s been there ever since. She loves having the routine of work and says her confidence and communication skills have grown.
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Craig
Craig joined the project in Argyll through MAYDS in October 2021. He was matched with long time supporting business MacLeod Construction and thrived under the mentorship and teaching of the staff team. Now he’s the 7th young person to have secured an apprenticeship with the company, and they’re all still there.
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Aillie
Allie impressed Michael at Celsius Heating & Plumbing so much during her work placement with him in Edinburgh that he offered her a post before it was due to end. Now she is embedded in the business and has delivered training on new systems to the staff team.
Ben
Ben joined the Aberdeen programme in 2019 and after a short induction and work placement found himself following the footsteps of former trainee Gregor – and secured a job and training to work offshore with Rig Surveys Ltd.
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Fraser
Fraser participated in the South Glasgow project in 2015 and secured an apprenticeship with his placement business – winning Apprentice of the Year while he was there. Now he has his own joinery business and in 2022 was delighted to offer a work placement to one of the young people on the programme he had completed himself.
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Kyle
Kyle turned his passion for playing bagpipes into a career after considering employment options when he started the programme in East Ayrshire. Not believing there could really be a job in something he considered a hobby – he was delighted when he was given a placement, and subsequently a job at McCallums Bagpipes.
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Zainab
Zainab completed her 3-month placement with Gilbride Pharmacy Group at the beginning of 2023 through the programme in South Glasgow. She has now been employed as a trainee Dispenser and is looking forward to the start of her career in this industry where she has real hope for a very promising future.
Our Supporters
Trusts and Corporate Partnerships
Partnerships are fundamental to allowing us to deliver our programme. Our partners help us create real, immediate and systematic change for young people from challenging backgrounds throughout Scotland, and this has never been more vital.
Trusts
Our Trust partners support us both locally and nationally and we have built long term relationships with several. Our local partners include CMS Charitable Trust, Hugh Fraser Foundation, WA Cargill Fund & the McTaggart Trust. Our national partners include:
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Corporates
Local, national and international businesses recognise the importance of our programme, and form partnerships that provide a range of support, including funding, services, awareness raising and volunteering time from staff. Such partnerships have included:
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Interested in Partnering with our Charity?
Get in touch with Alison Christie, Head of Fundraising
Support WorkingRite Another Way
Individual donations, Work placements, Volunteering, Fundraising
By raising sponsorship or making a donation to WorkingRite, you can help young people transform their lives by giving them the tools they need to overcome adversity and achieve their full potential.
If you're looking for a meaningful way to make a difference in the lives of young people, donating to WorkingRite is a great place to start. Your contribution can have a tremendous impact on the organisation's ability to provide critical support and resources to young people facing challenging circumstances. But with so many different ways to give, it can be hard to know where to start or what kind of impact your donation will have. Below, we'll break down the different donation amounts and show you exactly how your contribution can help young people transform their lives.
£18
Allows a young person to have a 1:1 session with their Project Coordinator to overcome barriers and set goals
£39
Pays for training course work and materials for an accredited learning certificate.
£64
Provides essential PPE for a young person to complete their placement safely and professionally.
£146
Covers the first two weeks travel and allowance costs for a young person starting their work placement.
No matter the size of your donation, every little bit helps and is greatly appreciated by WorkingRite and the young people we support. Whether you are able to give a one-time donation or a regular monthly contribution, your generosity will make a meaningful difference in the lives of these young individuals. WorkingRite values every donation and recognises the importance of community support in helping young people overcome adversity and achieve their full potential.
Beyond Donations
Your support can change lives
Work Placements
We match one young person to a local business, they have an interest in, for 2-6 month work placements. You and the young person are supported throughout by the local Project Coordinator and we provide protective clothing, relevant training and handle the paperwork.
Volunteer Mentor
A volunteer mentor is an adult matched with one young person after they have completed the programme to provide ongoing support and encouragement as they move into adulthood. Mentors are all fully trained and supported.
Fundraising
We are a small team and we are grateful for all fundraising organised on our behalf. Many people take part in organised events and raise sponsorship to support our work – the Kiltwalk is one we would recommend.
To find out more about providing a work placement, becoming a volunteer mentor or supporting our fundraising activities, please contact Alison on 07551156343 or email alison@workingrite.co.uk. To keep up to date with our latest news and events, please visit the WorkingRite website.
