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AUDIENCES
Engaging individuals and communities throughout Scotland We welcomed visitors back to our Discovery Experience as Covid-19 travel restrictions eased and were delighted to be able to support young children who had been affected by the restrictions. Our learning team also continued to produce digital resources to engage with groups that were more isolated such as those in care homes. A key priority for us is to expand our learning programmes to reach a wider number of young people. We were thrilled, therefore, to welcome Louise Macdonald OBE, FRSE as our first brand ambassador. Louise is national director for the Institute of Directors and former CEO of the award-winning Young Scot. Louise will challenge how we engage with children and young people. As a champion for young people’s rights, and the importance of nature for their well-being, Louise will support us to forge new partnerships that will help inspire young people to care for and protect Scotland’s amazing marine wildlife.
Image © Nicol Nicolson
In addition to engaging a wider number of young people, we remain committed to developing a culture of lifelong learning and active ageing; addressing inequalities; and removing the additional barriers that many individuals and groups face when accessing our programmes and activities. Forging links with fresh delivery partners is key to our ability to achieve these goals, especially in working with harder to reach groups in society. One participant led programme to be developed is in partnership with LINKNet Mentoring, working with BME Groups new to Scotland. Family sessions are important as childcare is often a barrier, as is the creation of ‘safe’ spaces. We aim to develop indoor and outdoor sessions that support beneficiaries to get comfortable in nature while learning English and building social capital.
