How Clootie Works
We build trust locally, then help young people move towards opportunity.
Clootie combines an open weekly club with a deliberately small progression programme. Young people can attend the club without joining the structured programme. Those who want more support can join a small cohort, develop an individual progression plan and take part in mentoring, experiences, projects and education or career exposure.
The six stages of the Clootie journey
Identify
A young person joins, is invited or is introduced through the school or community.
Build trust
The team gets to know their interests, strengths, circumstances and practical barriers.
Explore
The young person meets mentors and encounters unfamiliar activities, sectors and routes.
Experience
They try something real: a visit, course, project, activity, workplace or leadership role.
Progress
Clootie supports a meaningful next step and helps address cost, travel, confidence or information barriers.
Give back
Young people who are ready return as ambassadors, peer supporters or contributors.
Initial scale
The first structured cohort will be deliberately small: approximately 10 to 15 young people over six to twelve months. Each participant will have a simple plan covering interests, opportunity, barriers, next action and review date.
What progression can mean
A next step may be joining a club, starting a project, completing a qualification, applying to college or university, exploring an apprenticeship, gaining work experience, volunteering, starting an enterprise or moving into employment. There is no single correct destination.
Our role
Clootie acts as a connector and facilitator. We provide trusted relationships and structured support, but bring in qualified partners or signpost specialist services where these are needed.