About Us
Giving Young People Space to Breathe and Room to Grow Since 1999
SiMY has been working with 8–18-year-olds and their families in Townhead and the surrounding communities of Glasgow since 1999. Over that time we have built strong relationships with local families, with many young people growing up with SiMY and later returning as volunteers, staff members or community supporters.
Our work is rooted in youth work values and shaped by the young people themselves. We create supportive environments where young people can build confidence, explore their interests and make positive contributions to their lives, families and communities.
Our Approach: Space to Breathe, Room to Grow
Everything we do is guided by our Space to Breathe, Room to Grow approach
Space to Breathe
Young people growing up in busy cities face many pressures — from school, family life, peers and social media — often with limited access to nature.
Space to Breathe creates time and space to slow down, reconnect with the outdoors and feel more settled and confident. Through nature, creativity and adventurous outdoor experiences, young people discover what they are capable of, step outside their comfort zones and begin to see themselves differently.
This might look like climbing a rock face, a swim in cold water, sketching to loud music, or expressing yourself through dance.
Room to Grow
Once young people feel safe and supported, they are ready to grow.
Room to Grow helps young people develop skills, confidence and a stronger sense of who they are. Through creative projects, outdoor learning and community activities, young people explore their ideas, build leadership and take positive action in their lives and communities.
This might look like learning about mental health, exploring identity through creative writing, participating in activism, and displaying artwork in community spaces.
Get Involved - OUR PROGRAMMEOur Model of Progressive Participation
As a youth work organisation, our programme is formed by the ideas, interests and aspirations of the young people who take part.
Young people help design activities, shape our spaces and influence how the organisation develops. Some go on to volunteer, join our paid staff team, or become members of the Board.
We call this our Ladder of Progressive Participation, and it ensures that everyone can contribute, whether they want to attend a weekly session, influence the way SiMY is run, or gain experience for future employment.
Nature Engagement
Why is nature engagement so important at SiMY?
Watch this video from the WWF to understand more about the powerful impact of nature on your mental and physical well-being
meet the team
Molly Buckingham
CEO
Molly leads the organisation, ensuring SiMY stays true to its mission while securing the resources needed to keep developing our impact.
Jane Todd
Administration & Finance Officer
Jane looks after SiMY’s finances while advertising upcoming activities and coordinating activity bookings.
Emma Gall
Creative Programme Lead
Roisin leads our creative programme, creating spaces where young people can explore ideas and express themselves.
Jess Lockhart
Gardening Programme Lead
Jess develops our urban growing spaces, helping young people connect with nature throughout the year.
How We Are Funded
SiMY is an independent charity, which means we raise all the funding needed to run our programmes and keep our organisation going.
Our work is made possible thanks to the generous support of individual donors, community partners, businesses and charitable foundations.
If you would like to support our work, please consider making a donation.
We are grateful to the foundations and funders who support our work and help make everything we do possible.
