Nominee Summary
The Tweed Foundation Education Programme is inspiring the next generation to connect with the River Tweed catchment through hands-on environmental education, angling and conservation. Working with schools, volunteers, angling clubs and community partners, the programme provides a clear pathway from first experiences in nature to nationally recognised qualifications, leadership opportunities and work experience. Each year it engages almost 4,000 young people, building confidence, practical skills and environmental awareness while removing barriers to participation. By nurturing future custodians of our rivers and preserving traditional skills, the programme is creating lasting benefits for young people, local communities and the natural environment.
The preservation of skills
The Tweed Foundation recognises that traditional angling knowledge and river skills can only survive if they are actively passed to the next generation. The education programme actively combines practical instruction with opportunities for young people to learn directly from experienced anglers, conservation professionals and skilled craftspeople. Participants develop a wide range of practical skills including fly casting, fly tying, fish identification, rivercraft, water safety and responsible angling techniques. Local angling clubs provide experienced volunteer coaches whose knowledge has often been developed over decades of fishing the River Tweed. Specialist workshops broaden learning opportunities. Bruce & Walker introduced TweedStart Ambassadors to the craftsmanship behind rod building, giving participants a valuable insight into traditional manufacturing skills and the design of high-quality fishing rods. Senior ambassadors further developed communication skills by interviewing participants and producing video content that documented their experiences. The programme is designed to provide a clear progression pathway rather than a one-off experience. Young people who complete TweedStart Introduction Days are encouraged to continue onto four-week development courses before progressing to the TweedStart Ambassador Programme. As ambassadors, they help deliver introduction days and public events, acting as role models for new participants while developing leadership, communication and mentoring skills. Work experience placements provide further opportunities to develop professional skills. By creating opportunities for young people to learn directly from skilled practitioners while encouraging them to pass their knowledge on to others, the programme ensures that valuable angling traditions, environmental knowledge and conservation skills continue to be preserved for future generations.
Increasing awareness
The Tweed Foundation has significantly increased awareness of freshwater conservation by creating engaging educational opportunities that connect young people directly with the River Tweed and its wildlife. Rather than relying solely on classroom teaching, the programme combines practical experiences with scientific learning, helping participants understand the importance of healthy rivers through first-hand observation. During the year, approximately 3,950 participants from 18 schools took part in education activities delivered across the Tweed catchment. Programmes included the Youth Achievement Award, Dynamic Youth Awards, Living Tweed sessions, Trout in the Classroom, TweedStart Introduction Days and a wide range of public engagement events. Events include the Tweed Festival where 200 children were introduced to fishing. At Border Union Schools Day, more than 1,200 Primary 5 pupils explored freshwater wildlife and river ecology through interactive activities delivered by Foundation staff. The programme also reaches wider audiences through partnerships with RHET, local authorities, angling clubs and community organisations, extending its educational impact beyond schools. Young people are encouraged to share their experiences through the TweedStart Ambassador programme, acting as positive role models for younger participants and helping deliver events across the catchment. Their enthusiasm demonstrates how peer learning can inspire others to become involved. Through consistent engagement across schools, communities and public events, the Foundation is helping to develop greater understanding of freshwater biodiversity, sustainable fisheries and environmental stewardship. Participants leave with increased confidence, stronger connections to nature and a greater appreciation of the importance of protecting the River Tweed for future generations.
Ethical/environmental standards
Environmental responsibility underpins every aspect of the Tweed Foundation's education programme. Young people are encouraged to understand why healthy rivers and sustainable fisheries are essential for biodiversity, local communities and future generations. The Youth Achievement Award, launched in September 2025, combines scientific learning with practical field experience. Pupils investigate river ecology, freshwater food chains, aquatic invertebrates, fish biology and habitat conservation before applying their knowledge beside the River Tweed. Sessions place particular emphasis on water safety, fish welfare, responsible angling practices and environmental stewardship. Responsible fishing techniques, including catch-and-release principles where appropriate, biosecurity, river etiquette and habitat protection, are embedded throughout every activity. Young people learn that successful angling depends upon healthy rivers and sustainable fish populations rather than simply catching fish. Partnership working further strengthens the programme. Angling associations, conservation organisations, schools and volunteers all contribute specialist knowledge, demonstrating how communities can work together to protect natural resources. Participants also recognise the importance of citizen responsibility, understanding how climate change, pollution, habitat loss and invasive species can affect river health. By combining education with practical conservation messages, the YAA programme encourages lifelong environmental awareness and responsible behaviour. The result is a generation of young people who understand that caring for rivers is everyone's responsibility and who leave the year long programme with the knowledge and motivation to become future custodians of the River Tweed.
Noteworthy improvements
The introduction of the Youth Achievement Award represents a significant development in the Tweed Foundation's education programme in late 2025, creating a structured, year-long pathway that combines nationally recognised qualifications with practical environmental learning. Delivered in partnership with Selkirk High School, the programme enables young people to achieve Scottish Qualifications Authority accreditation while developing leadership, confidence and employability alongside environmental knowledge. New partnerships have expanded learning opportunities. Bruce & Walker introduced rod-building workshops, specialist trout and salmon fishing sessions broadened practical experience, and work placements gave ambassadors valuable insight into careers in fisheries management, conservation and environmental education. The programme has become increasingly inclusive through collaboration with Scottish Borders Council's New Roots initiative, ensuring young people from diverse backgrounds can access high-quality outdoor learning opportunities and develop a stronger connection with their local environment. Greater emphasis has also been placed on leadership. Former participants now support new learners during festivals, introduction days and community events, demonstrating the programme's long-term impact and sustainability. These developments have transformed TweedStart from an introduction to fishing into a comprehensive education and personal development pathway. Participants gain nationally recognised qualifications, practical environmental knowledge, leadership experience and transferable life skills while becoming ambassadors for river conservation. The programme continues to evolve through partnership working, ensuring it remains relevant, accessible and capable of inspiring the next generation of environmental stewards.
Overcoming Challenges
The Tweed Foundation Education Programme was developed to address the growing disconnect between young people and the natural environment. Many children and young people have limited opportunities to experience rivers, learn about freshwater ecosystems or take part in angling. Barriers such as access to equipment, transport, experienced mentors and organised outdoor activities can prevent participation, particularly for those with little previous exposure to the natural environment. To overcome these challenges, the Foundation created a pathway that removes barriers to participation and provides opportunities for young people of all backgrounds and abilities to connect with the River Tweed Catchment. Working in partnership with schools, angling associations, volunteers and community organisations, the programme provides fully supported experiences that build confidence, develop practical skills and encourage long-term engagement with the natural environment. One element is the nationally recognised Youth Achievement Award, launched in partnership with Selkirk High School in September 2025. This year long programme combines classroom learning with practical sessions on the River Tweed and local fisheries, enabling pupils to gain a Scottish Qualifications Authority accredited qualification while developing environmental knowledge, leadership and employability skills. The education programme extends far beyond the classroom through initiatives including Go Wild for Fish, Living Tweed, TweedStart Introduction Days, Dynamic Youth Awards, Advanced TweedStart, the TweedStart Ambassador and work experience placements. The programme also works with Scottish Borders Council's New Roots initiative, providing opportunities for young people from diverse backgrounds to build confidence, develop friendships and become part of their local community through shared outdoor experiences.
Education Award - TweedStart https://youtu.be/QFkp7Otqxw0?si=mLZrSGb_bZrD_fUM
