This research is a case study of an informal outdoor education programme, which is delivered by volunteers, through a charity organisation called Venture Scotland. The programme works with young people aged 16-30, whom it terms as 'lacking in opportunity'. These young people have diverse backgrounds and are experiencing extended transitions into adulthood. The purpose of this research was to develop an understanding of the young people's experiences of the programme and their perceptions of how it impacted on their lives. This is in order to fill a gap of knowledge identified in outdoor education research. The research took an emergent, interpretive, ethnographic approach. Participant observation was used over three programmes involving 44 participants and 18 volunteers. Eight participants took part in in-depth semi-structured interviews, producing narratives of their experiences of the programme and biographical accounts of their lives. While drawing from the range of data, the analysis focuses on one person's story of participation, to provide a rich in-depth understanding of the programme and the post-programme follow up. Social networks and the development of a new and temporary community during the programme emerged as relevant .~~-------- - --~~-- ---- -- --- aspects. Interpretations were undertaken through the lens of social capital, to provide some insights into the way the programme supports the young people I in making positive changes in their lives. The research indicated that the I .i programme provides opportunities for individuals to develop their social capital, specifically bridging capital, and through one persons narrative highlighted how this resulted in a stronger and more fluid individualised system of social capital.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:654554 |
| Date | January 2009 |
| Creators | Ashworth, Loretta |
| Publisher | Lancaster University |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
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