Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Glasgow Live
Glasgow Live
National
Carla Jenkins

Summerston boy goes from Universal credit to master of outdoor education

The pandemic was so hard on so many of us, but particularly for those who were seeking employment during the really dark time.

Which makes it all the more amazing that Summerston local Scott Murray has gone from being unemployed and on Universal Credit to becoming an absolute master of the outdoors - and teaching others how to safely enjoy nature too.

In less than a year, Scott has gone from job seeker to star outdoor instructor at West End Adventure where he joined as an "extra pair of hands" in mid-2021.

Sign up to Glasgow Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox

In just a year, he's sailed through qualifications in Archery, Hillwalking and Bushcraft, and is just about to sit his assessment as a Paddlesports Leader.

The exam is his final hurdle to becoming a 'multi-sport' instructor, joining his colleagues in leading client groups across some of Scotland’s most beautiful and diverse landscapes.

“I’ve achieved a lot more in this role than I could ever have imagined,” says Scott. “I’d like to thank the Job Centre and my work coach for finding me the placement, and for the team at West End Adventure for believing in me.”

Andrew Minshall, the director of West End Adventure, recalls how quickly the young man’s potential became clear.

He said: “Scott joined us as a Group Leader, to be an extra pair of hands on site, but he was so brimming with ideas and enthusiasm that we just couldn’t ignore it. We had to get him on sessions.”

Having caught the attention of management, Scott was ear-marked as a perfect potential instructor by the end of his Kickstart Scheme placement.

Director Minshall continues: “The training to become an instructor isn’t easy. It’s physically and mentally demanding, especially in the winter months, but we knew Scott. We knew he was resilient.”

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.