“Having time here has me thinking that my life is in my hands. It's within me. This week has been powerful for me and it is about being responsible and being purposeful in more than my job. It has me thinking deeper about my life and my own identity.”
- Columban graduate
what we do
Columba 1400 is a social enterprise devoted to leadership development. We operate primarily from our community and international leadership centre in Staffin on the Isle of Skye. Our core mission is to realise the leadership potential of young people from 'tough realities'.
Ethos and Philosophy
Each and every Columban programme is a creatively developed and delivered experience. Described by one participant as an “inward bound” experience, each individual is given a clean slate and every respect in both an inspiring internal and external environment. These silent communications register a message: that each participant has the real and present ability to make a positive difference in their community.
Each Columba 1400 programme shares the foundation of the Columban Code of Responsible Leadership and Columba 1400’s core philosophy. St Columba inspired the organisation because his direct way of responding to individual problems suggested an answer to the social problems of today. Columba 1400’s programmes have been developed to meet these needs. Columba 1400 draws on ancient wisdom and modern learning from a range of traditions – spiritual, academic and secular – and is open to all.
Underlying all our work is the belief expressed in the Buchan quotation: ‘Our task is not to put the greatness into humanity, but to elicit it, for the greatness is there already’. This drives our methodology at all levels. When people come to Columba 1400 they experience the power of being valued and finding purpose. Crucially, they become part of a culture that reflects this and in turn offers an emotional connection to what is really important in being human by seeing, feeling and noticing others as role models. The Columban Code of Responsible Leadership provides the underpinning structure to all our programmes and guides our personal and professional behaviour.
Who we work with
Columba 1400 works with a wide range of young people and adults. The core of our work is with young people - including 12-16 year old school students, young care leavers nearing adulthood and other young people who have experienced tough times. We contribute to this core mission through engaging with other individuals who play or could play a significant role in assisting young people achieve their full potential. These include educational and social welfare professionals. The leadership model provided by these adults is critical to the young people in their care. Columba also works with groups of business people, bringing them together with groups of young people from tough realities to help each group find potential not only in themselves, but also in each other.
Our work with young people in schools is through the Ambassadors Leadership Academy. This programme brings together students, faculty and members of the senior management team into one leadership development experience and ongoing dialogue focused on the future of their school. This is based on our belief that students should inform ‘the heart and head’ of any prgramme of renewal within education. On completion of a the residential component of the programme, the young ambassadors feel more confident to address what matters to them in their lives, become more actively involved with the governance of their school, and feel more able to affect change around them. The not so young ambassadors that participate see the full and incredible potential of their students. Within education we also work with Head Teachers and schools' senior management teams through our Head Teachers Leadership Academy, to help them elicit their full leadership potential in shaping the growth of their schools and communities.
Our work with young people nearing adulthood is through the Young People's Leadership Academy. This most often centres around those in or soon to be leaving state care. We generally take groups who are accompanied by a supporting organisation (usually funded by Local Authorities or charitable bodies) who play a key role in supporting the young people from the initial Columban orientation stages to the post residential activities. Young people in these circumstances frequently have huge untapped leadership potential but they need a catalyst to see this potential in themselves. A programme with Columba 1400 aims to release the young person's inner capacity, and to help them take control of their transition from being in care to living independently. The involvement of a supporting organisation is essential to the journey that young people take in realising their potential and unlocking the greatness within.
rita's story
I had heard of the Columban experience before I went to Skye but would never had thought that once I had experienced it my self things would change personally literally overnight.
I went to Columba 1400 in June of 2002 with an open mind, if I was being honest, I thought I was going for a holiday and a holiday it was but with a difference. My time in Skye provided me with new experiences and tools that I could use to change my life for the better.
The memories that have stayed with me is the passion and commitment the staff had for the job they did, the beautiful peaceful surrounding and most of all the life changing experience.
I went to Skye unemployed and within 2 months I found full-time employment as an administrator working for a company that helps unemployed people back into work, Now 3 years on I have been promoted to Diagnostic Consultant where my job is to help clients find solutions to resolving any barriers that are stopping them from finding work.
I would never have been able to resolve my own barriers had it not been for Columba 1400, and for this I will always be truly grateful to be given the opportunity to take part in what was an unforgettable experience.
- Rita Stewart
Columban graduate