Reality's Beginnings
Reality was started in 1994 by a group of friends who were involved in other camp provision in Scotland. They had observed that children and young people who were referred by social work departments often failed to cope at camp and returned home early. A decision was made to launch Reality at Work in Scotland in order to provide camps where volunteers would support the young people in a 1:2 ratio. Charitable status was obtained in September 1994.
Over the next few years, Reality became established in a small office in Kirkintilloch, and appointed its first member of administrative staff. In 1999 the charity moved to Dean House at Lenzie, and appointed its first full-time Project Co-ordinator, Rhoda McVey.
In January 2004, Richard and Fran Morrison joined the staff as Project Manager and Finance/Admin Officer, and Chad Olm joined in 2006 as Activities Co-ordinator. Since then there have been a variety of short-term posts as well as the appointment of our first full-time Young People’s Link-Up Worker for two years from January 2007.
In November 2006, Reality was incorporated as a charitable company limited by guarantee, with the new name of Reality Adventure Works in Scotland Ltd. There are currently 9 trustees and 6 staff (see Trustees & Staff). We now work with a ratio of 1 volunteer to every young person because of the higher tariff needs of young people who are referred to us; in 2008, we provided 133 places at residential outdoor pursuits events for 80 individual young people.