22 October 2015
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon visited Columba 1400 during her visit to Skye and got to learn about the work they do with children.
A social enterprise which has just celebrated its 15th anniversary, Columba 1400 works with young people, many of whom come from challenging backgrounds (click to read more about them). Its purpose is simple:
to help young people realise that they already have the inner greatness and confidence to transform their own lives and those around them
The First Minister went to meet staff, graduates and youngsters currently going through the programme and find out more.
FM @NicolaSturgeon visiting @Columba1400 to hear about their work with young people. pic.twitter.com/rXAEXxjOc5
— First Minister (@ScotGovFM) October 21, 2015
She listened to graduates talk about how going to Columba 1400 had helped their personal development and turned their live around.

She then took part in a game of Gutter Ball where youngsters need to communicate and work with each other to move a tennis ball around the room and into a bucket using parts of guttering they are have. It’s one of a number of exercises, game and techniques Columba uses to help young people, as they say, find their own unique voice and purpose.

@Columba1400 thanks for a great visit
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) October 22, 2015
You can watch a video of the First Minister’s visit here. It was filmed by Jamie Halvorson, a graduate of Columba 1400:
Nicola Sturgeon spent her afternoon visiting our Staffin Centre, staff and our graduates today. It was incredible to able to share our stories and aspirations for the future with our very own First Minister. Here’s a little clip put together by Jamie Halvorson of the day, enjoy!
Posted by Columba 1400 on Wednesday, 21 October 2015