Young people from Crosskeys rise to the challenge at Rock UK

Three polaroid images. Photo 1: 2 young people in a lake, wearing safety jackets and helmets. Photo 2: a young person is running to the end a jetty about to leap into the lake. Photo 3: the young people and crosskey colleagues stand together smiling at the camera

This June, colleagues from our residential service, Crosskeys, and two of our young people packed their bags and headed to Rock UK Adventure Centre in Scotland for an unforgettable weekend of adventure and new experiences.

Crosskeys is one of our residential services in Stockport, a small therapeutic home offering intensive support to young people with recognised attachment issues and complex needs.

On arrival, the team received a very Scottish welcome in the form of hundreds of midges swarming around the car! Our colleague Ian bravely took on the role of chief distraction, keeping the midges occupied while everyone else made a speedy escape to the safety of the cabin.

The following morning, the group kicked off their packed activity schedule with canoeing and kayaking. The young people quickly proved to be naturals on the water and took every opportunity to rock the boats for fun. Despite repeated reminders from one colleague that she couldn’t swim, the boys found the situation absolutely hilarious and kept the team smiling throughout the session.

Next up was gorge walking, which was a huge hit. The group squeezed through tunnels and tyres, climbed over rocks, and carefully navigated slippery moss-covered surfaces. They spent most of the activity submerged in water, embracing every moment of the challenge and excitement.

The adventures continued with a refreshing dip in a lake, where everyone also discovered the less enjoyable side of the Scottish countryside, horsefly bites. Ouch!

After a quick lunch, it was time for archery. The young people threw themselves into the activity with enthusiasm, showing great focus and determination while enjoying some friendly competition alongside the rest of the team.

To round off an action-packed day, everyone took on the zip wire, soaring through the stunning Scottish landscape and taking in the breathtaking views from above.

A huge thank you goes to Haines House, who had originally booked the trip but were unfortunately unable to attend. Their generous decision to gift the experience to the Crosskeys team made this fantastic adventure possible.

The weekend was filled with laughter and plenty of unforgettable moments. Most importantly, it provided an opportunity for our young people and colleagues to build stronger relationships and create memories that will last for years to come. We are incredibly proud of everyone who took part and look forward to many more adventures together in the future.

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