Stramash social enterprise adventure prospers: funding and ministerial visit

Back on 12th March, the Duke of Argyll abseiled down the tower at his home, Inveraray Castle, to mark the birth of Argyll’s newest social enterprise, Stramash, of which he is patron.

Not many new enterprises see Dukes risking life and limb to celebrate their inauguration.

Since then, the outdoor activities organisation, which on that day in March flew the Council nest and became an independent Scotland-wide business, has received funding of £104,410 from the Go Play fund, administered by Inspiring Scotland.

The grant has been given to enable Stramash to expand its work with children from more rural communities across Argyll and Bute through a network of adventure clubs.

The pilot club has now been established – on the Argyll slate island of Luing – and earlier today (15th June 2010) Children’s Minister, Adam Ingram MSP, visited. The minister wanted to see how funding from the Scottish Government’s Go Play programme is helping to create better play opportunities for five to 13 year-olds.

Mr Ingram went first to Stramash’s head office in Oban and then went to Luing, in glorious weather, to see for himself.

The Stramash adventure club network is one of 27 projects to benefit from the £4m Go Play fund which will have an operational life of two years, helping to improve facilities and services in areas where children have the least opportunities to develop through play.

On his visit, the Minister said: ‘Physical play can make a real difference to children’s health, well-being and development. It can help build their confidence, self esteem and resilience, while also developing their imagination and creativity. That is why we launched the Go Play fund – to help Inspiring Scotland work with local third sector organisations to increase opportunities for play among five to 13 year-olds.

‘The funding for Stramash will enable the organisation to build on the success of the Luing Adventure Club on Upper Soroba and develop a network of these clubs across the west coast so that more children have the opportunity to play in and explore this wonderful outdoor environment.  I’m delighted to be able to visit the island and learn how these new play clubs and opportunities are being developed’.

With the Minister on the visit was Andrew Muirhead, Chief Executive of Inspiring Scotland, who said: ‘We are confident that through Go Play we can bring a sense of fun and happiness to more children, which will also help them grow up into happy and healthy adults who can make the most of their lives. The work being delivered by Stramash is a great example of this approach.

‘By using the concept of adventure clubs, more children have the opportunity to develop by exploring the world through play, and that is great for them, their families and the whole community. We are delighted to be working in partnership with the Scottish Government to support important work like this’.

Stramash’s Director, Niall Urquhart, who had welcomed Mr Ingram to the Oban office before the adventure to Luing, said: ‘Stramash are delighted to have the opportunity to expand their work with local communities which has been made possible by Go Play funding.

‘This funding has enabled Stramash to increase the accessibility of outdoor activity to children in rural areas of Argyll.  We  now have the resources to facilitate children in these areas to make the most of their spectacular natural environment, which will hopefully inspire them to embrace the outdoors as they mature.’

As Mr Urquhart said, the huge bank Stramash has to fuel its development is the spectrum and wealth of natural resources of Argyll, easily arguable as the richest and most diverse area in the UK for outdoor activities potential and for wildlife.

Argyll should be Scotland’s adventure club for all ages, welcoming and challenging its visitors in the almost limitless portfolio of what it has to offer.

This is where the thrust and the resources of economic development in Argyll must focus. It is good to see Stramash leading the way and starting with our ow young folk. This will not only give them the grounding for skills and lifelong enjoyment in using the great Argyll outdoors for fun, fitness and challenge but they will grow to become our best ambassadors.