Tesco Bags of Help provided funding of £5,000 to get young people from north Glasgow outdoors, active and into the water. Many young people from the areas surrounding Pinkston Watersports never get the opportunity to try out watersports.

The centre was opened as a legacy of the 2014 Commonwealth Games and sits on the canal close to the city centre. It’s home to Scotland's only artificial whitewater course alongside a flat water basin with bathing quality water.  The funding gave them the opportunity to run Go Kayaking - a series of week long introductory watersports sessions over the summer of 2017. The sessions were free and groups of young people from local youth groups and housing associations got the chance to try out kayaking, white water rafting and canoeing.

“It has been a real pleasure for us to be part of the amazing experiences that young people from the local areas around us have had. Thanks to the support of the Bags of Help over 40 young people have built skills and confidence while having fun on the water.  Most also got a recognised national certificate and progressed to making use of the white-water course by the end of the week.”  

- Hannah Blair, General Manager at Pinkston Watersports

As a bonus they were  able to include some youth workers with the sessions . This was a great way to build on the relationships that they have with the young people. Three youth workers achieved proficiency awards. Giving them skills that are a first step to training as kayak coaches in the future and hopefully further supporting the young people in their area.

Key Facts
Location: Glasgow, G4 9XP
Project type: Outdoor activities
Bags of Help Funding: £5,000
Grantee: Glasgow Watersports
Website: www.pinkston.co.uk

View the printable pdf  Go Kayaking at Pinkston Watersports

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Up to £2000 is available from Tesco Bags of Help to support a wide range of projects that benefit your local community. Tesco Bags of Help is administered by Groundwork working with greenspace scotland to support applicants and successful projects in Scotland. 
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