Beyond School

The 'Beyond School' section of the SCILT website covers language learning options available post-secondary education.

Project Trust

“[Project Trust] focuses on the education and development of young people but we do that in the medium of international volunteering……….We are totally committed to bringing back to the UK, a cohort of young people who have a much greater, much deeper, understanding of global issues.”

- Ingrid Emerson, Director of Project Trust

What is Project Trust? 

Project Trust, was founded in 1967. It is an educational charity based on the Hebridean Isle of Coll, which specialises in sending 17-19 year old school leavers overseas for 8 or 12 month volunteer placements in which young people undertake various projects in Africa, Asia or the Americas.

The organisation sends about 250 volunteers to 23 countries annually and is widely respected as one of the most experienced and professional gap year organisations in Britain. The Project Trust’s philosophy is to provide young people with an opportunity to understand a community overseas by immersing themselves in it.

Heloise Allan, Education Development Officer, explains what her role in the Project Trust involves and how volunteers can gain an award in Global Citizenship.

You can also read about Heloise's background and role in our Job Profiles section.

Visit the Project Trust website for more information about the organisation and the kind of projects they offer to young people. 

Please note that young people who choose to do a year abroad with the Project Trust are required to fund-raise as part of their experience.

SCILT worked closely with Project Trust to help develop links with schools across the country and encouraged returned volunteers to talk to young people about their experiences of living in another country, and how that experience has helped them understand the relevance of learning other languages.  Learn about some of their experiences on our Project Trust - Projects webpage. 

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SCILT - Scotlands National centre for Languages