The Polar Academy is a unique charity that works with 14 – 17-year-olds struggling with mental health challenges, self-esteem, and confidence issues. Wireless Infrastructure Group (WIG) has supported The Polar Academy since 2019, and we are delighted to continue our support as the 2024 expedition gets underway.
Working with schools, community groups, carers and parents The Polar Academy team carefully selects a group of young people each year to participate in an intensive year-long mental and physical training programme culminating in a 10-day arctic expedition in East Greenland. This year’s expedition sets off this week with 20 teenagers from Braeview Academy in Dundee and Bucksburn Academy in Aberdeen.
Craig Mathieson, Founder of The Polar Academy said “The Polar Academy is only able to work and positively impact struggling teenagers with the valued support of our partners. Wireless Infrastructure Group has provided a wide range of financial, technical and personal support to us over the years, and we are both grateful and privileged to have a partnership with such an engaged and benevolent company that truly understands the power behind the work we do.”
Scott Coates, WIG, CEO, said “The team at The Polar Academy helps build resilience and confidence in young people through an amazing endurance test which will stay with them for life, giving them the experience to take on their future with a new outlook. We are proud to be supporting such an inspirational team as they make huge a difference in young people’s lives.”
The Polar Academy’s 22/23 impact report showed significant improvement in self-confidence and self-esteem levels across participants. Each expedition graduate follows up on the training programme by speaking to at least 3,000 peers in their community, encouraging the Polar Academy’s “inspiration through exploration” philosophy, covering topics such as mental health, bullying and the environment.
Established in 2014, The Polar Academy has seen 180 young people from Scotland take part in over the last 10 years. By 2025 it hopes to take 60 young people a year on the expedition. It costs around £25,000 per youngster to go through full training and take part in the final expedition.
Find out more: www.thepolaracademy.org and you can follow their journey on LinkedIn
