The Wood Foundation’s Youth and Philanthropy Initiative (YPI) is proud to partner with The Holywood Trust – a charitable organisation founded in 1979 that supports young people aged 15-25 across Dumfries and Galloway to fulfil their potential in cultural, educational, and social aspects of their lives.

YPI is delivered in secondary schools throughout the region, including St Joseph’s College in Dumfries. While researching charities as part of YPI, a group of seven boys connected with representatives from homelessness charity Bethany Christian Trust and chose champion their work.

To deepen their understanding and raise awareness, the pupils took part in the charity’s 12-hour sleep out, spending the night in sub-zero temperatures to experience, in some small way, the harsh realities faced by those without shelter.

Reflecting on the experience in a video they created as part of YPI, the young people said: “For the sleep out, we made a fort out of tarp and wooden planks. Sleeping outside was cold, rough and very uncomfortable. We really would not want this to happen to anyone.”

In addition to the sleep out, the team also organised a bake sale, raising a further £200 for the charity.

Their creativity and commitment saw St Joseph’s College selected as one of 12 schools to perform at this year’s YPI National Event – Scotland’s largest celebration of youth philanthropy – which took place at Perth Concert Hall in June. Their performance focused on raising awareness of homelessness, sharing their learning and lived experience with an audience of 800 peers, teachers, and charity professionals.

Victoria MacRae, Acting Principal Teacher of Religious Education at St Joseph’s College, said: “The initiative has had a powerful impact on our pupils, inspiring them to become more socially aware, empathetic, and proactive.

“YPI has encouraged our young people to develop key skills such as teamwork, communication, and critical thinking, while giving them a meaningful platform to champion causes they are passionate about.

“Many pupils reported feeling a stronger sense of responsibility, confidence, and motivation to continue contributing to their communities beyond YPI.”

The Holywood Trust – Principal Funder of YPI in Dumfries and Galloway – believes in the power of young people to lead change, and its investment in YPI reflects this commitment. The values of youth-led philanthropy and local impact align closely with the Trust’s mission.

Sammie Smith, Grants Officer at The Holywood Trust, said: “Investing in young people through YPI helps build to the next generation of thoughtful, socially aware leaders. It gives them real-world insight into local issues while developing key skills like teamwork, empathy, and public speaking.

“YPI creates a ripple effect – young people become more engaged, schools foster a stronger sense of community, and local charities gain visibility and support. It is a powerful model for long-term, local impact.”

The team at The Holywood Trust say that supporting YPI complements their broader priorities by combining youth development, education, and community support.

“It strengthens The Trust’s impact across multiple essential areas,” Sammie concluded.