UKV Outreach

As part of our initiative to put something back into the community commensurate with what we have been so fortunate to earn from it, UK Vending Ltd is extraordinarily proud of its Outreach 2008 programme.

Through November / December 2007 we were in negotiations with a partner to commence the 'UKV Outreach' programme. Sadly, it was not to be and so UKV, its magnificent staff and Daisylove (visit www.daisylove.org) made it a solo effort.

In May this year 8 young people who until then were sheltered by a London charity, went for two weeks to the Isle of Skye. There they were supervised by four responsible adults. They participated in horse-riding, climbing, abseiling, kayaking and other activities where they learned to test themselves and pit themselves against the elements. They developed a team-spirit and new found confidence and self-reliance. They lived under canvas and involved themselves with the local community which had welcomed them.

In May this year 8 young people who until then were sheltered by a London charity, went for two weeks to the Isle of Skye. There they were supervised by four responsible adults. They participated in horse-riding, climbing, abseiling, kayaking and other activities where they learned to test themselves and pit themselves against the elements. They developed a team-spirit and new found confidence and self-reliance. They lived under canvas and involved themselves with the local community which had welcomed them.

The 'UKV Outreach' scheme is targeted at young people living in British inner cities. The point of Outreach is to offer these kids something outside the world they live in. We want them to experience a way of living that is not centred on what they look like, what labels they wear and the streets and street corners they hang around. We also want them to learn something more about themselves and what they might be. For this purpose, the partnership between Vending Ltd its staff and Daisy love has acquired title to a piece of undeveloped land on the beautiful Isle of Skye. It sits sheltered at the foot of a mountain and with its own beach. Whilst only a few miles by good roads from the island's capital town Portree this is open, rugged land full of fresh air and opportunity.

On our wish list too, is that these kids will learn to live with and respect adults from the community including the legal and police community, who will be living with them for the week they are on Skye - getting an idea on just who our partner might be yet? This may also open the eyes of those self same adults and perhaps let them see that beneath the baseball cap and hoody there is actually a unique young person trying to get by in life. What do we want from this? Maybe just the chance to see if what is happening with some young people in the impoverished areas of inner city Britain might still be reversed. Can anyone blame us for trying? Maybe our plan is rubbish and maybe it will not amount to anything - but at least we have a plan, and we are trying. How many other businesses can say that? How many other vending companies are putting their money where their mouth is and trying to change the world just a little - for just a few? What is the worst that can happen? Some kids get a holiday and a chance to see a place they would otherwise not even hear of.

If we could, we would try harder and we would try harder to benefit even more kids. But sadly, we can do little more than this. We provide the land, the insurance, the accommodation, the heavy weather gear, the food and the opportunity. Our partner, the charitable shelter that cares for these kids and many more like them will provide the kids and the essential responsible supervision - sixteen groups of kids for sixteen weeks of each year is our eventual target. If it works, we will repeat the opportunity next year and every year thereafter, What do we mean when we say "If it works"? Honestly? We don't really know. We just want these kids to know there is something else out there other than what they have. Somehow - this forthcoming year we have to figure out if we have improved anything. Did we make a difference - even if only to a few. If so, then we will plan the future.