Eilidh's Journey with Scran!

Scran Academy has helped me more than words can truly say. When I first started with Scran, I was 13 years old and had been out of school for almost two years due to a lack of support from teachers, bullying, and a deep lack of understanding. At that time, I was dealing with severe anxiety and mental health struggles, and I genuinely believed I was useless and that I would never get anywhere in life.

Now I am 17, and my journey with Scran has completely changed the direction of my future.

I began with The Clan at Gracemount Gardens, where I helped prepare food on the van, serve lunches, and was supported every step of the way by staff. That consistent support slowly built a confidence in me that I didn’t even know existed.

I then progressed onto Scransitions, where I was placed at the Comely Bank café. Once a week, I worked on the till serving customers, which gave me the courage to speak up and believe in myself. I helped Erin and other staff members prep meals, and for the first time, I realised I was capable of far more than I had ever been told.

Shortly after Scransitions, I was offered a one-week placement at the Comely Bank Centre to explore nursing. At the time, I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life — I went simply just to try it. That placement changed everything. I found my passion and knew that nursing was what I wanted to do.

With the confidence and support I had already gained from Scran, I made the decision to return back to education. I achieved all the qualifications I needed for college in just six months. Throughout that process, Scran Academy were always there — I knew I could rely on them whenever things felt overwhelming. I am now in College doing nursing and I’m so grateful for the opportunity

I also took part in Scran’s tutoring programme, as returning to learning after time out of education was incredibly challenging for me. My tutor was beyond supportive, and we built a strong, trusting relationship that helped me believe in myself academically again.

Today, I am proud to say that I now work for Scran in their café at the RHCYP.

Scran Academy has given me life-changing opportunities. They have helped me build confidence, form meaningful relationships, and believe in myself in ways I never thought possible. In many ways, Scran has saved me. I don’t like to think about where I would be now without their support.

I hope that other young people facing difficult circumstances are given the same care, patience, and belief that Scran gave me — because I truly would not be where I am today without them.

Written by Eilidh.