A Morning of Curiosity and Compassion at Kinlochleven High School

Last week, Estelle and I had the pleasure of visiting Kinlochleven High School, representing Lochaber Pride—our local celebration of inclusion, visibility, and community spirit. We were warmly welcomed into a hive of thoughtful energy and purposeful learning as the school hosted its Youth Philanthropy Initiative (YPI) interviews with loc al charities.

For those unfamiliar, YPI is a nationwide initiative run by The Wood Foundation that empowers secondary school students to engage directly with social issues in their local area. Working in teams, students research charities tackling these issues and then pitch for a £3,000 grant to support the one they believe is making the greatest impact. It’s a powerful blend of empathy, advocacy, and public speaking—and it’s all student-led.

Estelle and I were invited to share a bit about our work with Lochaber Pride and the broader importance of community-led initiatives. But truth be told, we left feeling like the students were the real teachers. We were asked a series of insightful, well-considered questions—some about the challenges of running a charity, others about how to make a difference in a world that can sometimes feel overwhelming. Their curiosity was matched only by their kindness and respect.

It was heartening to see such genuine engagement from young people who are clearly thinking deeply about the world around them. The future of philanthropy—and indeed, community leadership—looks bright in their hands.

A huge thank you to the staff and students of Kinlochleven High School for having us. We left inspired, hopeful, and reminded that when young people are given the tools and trust to lead, they rise to the occasion with grace and grit.