In August Depot's Ignite Young Volunteer Project organised for a group of 5 young people to attend a training/planning residential in Badaguish camp near Aviemore. The Ignite project is only the 2nd organisation in Scotland to deliver arts awards which involves young people working through their bronze, silver and gold awards documenting thier participation, learning and skills building in the arts.

Erin Friel one of our Ignite volunteers tells us all about it.....

"Badaguish was the best residential I have participated in by far, from the bus ride at the start right to the finish. Even though we where only travelling at the top speed of 62 mph as we had a limiter on the transport. Well it was a long slowish journey and I’m no slating Jain’s driving just the van but there was no limiter on the amount of fun we had thankfully!

The first day was interesting we visited a fancy theatre at Pitlochry and got a private tour of the world of backstage theatre. The costumes and technical side of things where the best. We where shown some portfolios of costumes and it showed me how much teamwork it takes to run a successful production.

I’ve got to say the adventure to Tesco was more amusing! I was in the trolley for part of it. Of course Tamara told me off for health and safety reasons.

We arrived to a massive beautiful lodge n me Jade n Sarah shared a room.  Honest, Mathew is a master chef with out fail every meal was delicious and nutritious. Oh Monopoly was the most deceptive game of all. Jain and Tamara kept getting bumped of their rent. Well when the dice is rolled the game proceeds paid or not, something Jain and Tamara kept missing!  Well we took advantage of them and saved a little money as depot arts always tries to accomplish.

The second last day was very exiting as we got an insight to other Arts Awards bronze award applicants who had folders prepared. We also had to do separate workshops. I held a street dance workshop and showed them some of ma silky moves and since it was a nice day we ventured outside and we ended combining my dance and their dance. We then had enough exercise and had a Barbecue yummmmy!! With salad (yuck!!) n all the trimmings. Lastly we decided to have a go of the rings over the nearby pond. I was the first to fall in - just my luck, but once I was in I was never out trying to help people across by pushing them along NOT SUCCESFULL BTW. Charles was the only one to cross with ease.

Overall as a group we learned organisation skills ie sitting round the table creating scrap books and discussing our hero‘s and what every ones individual interests where. Our communication skills and knowledge of other artists have also improved as we had to listen and share our views"