The Polar Academy: Transforming Young Lives Through Exploration
Children’s mental health charity, The Polar Academy, are working with 15 struggling teenagers from Dalkeith High School, taking them on an intense 12-month mental and physical training programme that will culminate for 10 of them, in a lifechanging Arctic expedition to East Greenland in 2025.
Empowering Young People through Polar Expeditions
Selected students from Dalkeith High School are undergoing an intensive year-long training program, covering both physical and mental health, that prepares them for a 10-day Arctic expedition involving skiing, sledge-hauling, and scientific research. These young participants learn essential survival skills at Glenmore Lodge, Scotland’s National Outdoor Training Centre, where they kayak, camp, rock climb, and even earn a navigation qualification. Additionally, through sessions with leading academics in geography and glaciology, students gain hands-on experience in data collection, fostering a respect for the environment and a potential interest in a future career in STEM.
Unlike other mental health initiatives, this is a long-term intervention that works with the young people and their families to ensure the positive impact is long-lasting. The Polar Academy’s unique programme is led by knowledgeable individuals with expertise in child and adolescent mental health, the military, child protection, clinical exercise physiology, business leadership, health and safety, outdoor education, and medicine.
Participation in The Polar Academy is fully funded by the charity to ensure it is fully inclusive and the charity works hard every year to secure donations and grants from individual patrons, corporate partners and charitable trusts and foundations.
The Polar Academy New Office Opening and an Invitation to Midlothian Businesses
An exciting step for The Polar Academy is the launch of its new office in Livingston. Businesses are invited to join them to see the new facilities, learn more about the impactful work of Polar Academy and hear firsthand about how they support local youth, building their confidence and resilience, and the positive changes they’re making in the community.
This is also a great opportunity for businesses to engage with the Academy’s mission. From sponsorship to donations and in-kind support, there are numerous ways for businesses in Midlothian to get involved and show their support for the young people of Dalkeith High School participating in this year’s programme.
Date: Tuesday 19th November 2024
Time: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Location: Polar Academy New Offices, Appleton Place, Livingston EH54 7EZ
If you’d like to join The Polar Academy at their office launch, please RSVP by 11th November. Light refreshments will be provided, and there will be plenty of time for networking.
How Your Business Can Help
It costs circa £25k for each youngster to go through the programme and take part in the Arctic expedition. The Polar Academy’s work is fully funded through the generous support of Charitable Trusts, Foundations, Patrons, Corporate Partners and a range of fundraising activity and events.
Supporting The Polar Academy means more than a financial contribution, it’s an investment in the next generation. By joining forces with the Academy, local businesses can contribute to a program that instils confidence and resilience in young people, many of whom are facing personal struggles. Whether through direct sponsorship, volunteering time, or helping with event logistics, businesses can play a vital role in sustaining this incredible initiative.
For more information about the inspiring work the Polar Academy is doing in Midlothian and beyond or to find out more about their upcoming office launch, please contact Maciej Dokurno on maciej@thepolaracademy.org or visit The Polar Academy’s website
You can also donate via the Dalkeith High School Just Giving page.
