Learn more about Helm
Our visions Our values Our experience

At Helm we know that for you to succeed and thrive in a positive destination you need to have a positive approach to everyday life. At Helm, you have opportunities to gain life skills in Helm’s kitchen, gym and allotment. You can gain skills such as cooking, budgeting, DIY and creativity. You can gain knowledge of health and wellbeing and the tools to overcome setbacks and solve issues as they arise. You can also get the opportunity to attend events and go on trips, both in Tayside and more widely.

On this programme you will work with the incredible Helm team to develop self-confidence, teamwork, communication, resilience and more. You will have the chance to find out about lots of different jobs, through guest speakers, visits to local employers and more. You’ll be supported to learn how to create a CV, how to search and apply for jobs and how to do well in an interview.

Throughout all of this, you will be supported to gain SQA qualifications and will have access to Helm’s in-house gym, professional grade kitchen, allotment and in-house Art Therapist. You can also access our Learning Centres.

Learning Centres are Centres within Helm that focus on specific industries. They will give you hands on experience that puts you ahead of other young people applying for college courses, apprenticeships and jobs, because you will have gained more in-depth knowledge and confidence in a particular industry.

Automotive Learning Centre
You will gain SQA qualifications but will also get experience carrying out a variety of car services including brakes, changing wheels, balancing wheels and tyres, full service, valeting, welding and working with customers.

Beauty Learning Centre
You will gain SQA qualifications but will also get experience working on a variety of beauty treatments manicures, pedicures, facials, eyebrow waxing and tinting, lashes and working with customers. You will also have at least one opportunity to put their skills into practice in a local care home, getting experience engaging with customers and intergenerational work.

Trades
You will gain SQA qualifications in painting and decorating, and joinery, and will also get experience working on a variety of practical skills including using power tools, basic construction techniques and more.

Art Therapy is not just for people who are creative or enjoy art, it is a safe space where you would be supported to work through issues, anxieties or personal barriers in a way that works for you. Helm’s Art Therapist creates a safe space where you can work with a huge variety of materials and in the Helm Art Therapy room there is no such thing as too much mess, as long as it helps you!  

Helm believes that young people learn best when they get the opportunity and support to experience something for themselves. Helm would work with you to identify what type of career or industry you are interested in and then work to secure you a placement.

One way Helm supports young people is to help them leave Helm and move into positive destinations. But what does this mean?

College 
Going to college can open up all kinds of opportunities for you in work later on and the choices at our local colleges are amazing. If this is right for you, Helm will help you find out more; visit the campus, talk to lecturers, discover what support and opportunities are available to you, try out taster courses. Helm can also help you to achieve qualifications for entry and support the whole application and interview process. Lots of Helm’s young people are now successfully making this move – let us help you get there! 

Work 
Animal care, uniformed services, fitness, healthcare, hair and beauty, retail, hospitality, youthwork, legal and professional services, construction, horticulture, landscaping, automotive industry, childcare and so many more. The choice is as diverse as you are –– so if you want a job and what you want is not on the list yet, tell us. Our young people are getting into the jobs they want every day – together we can make this happen! 

Apprenticeships 
Earn while you learn! Tell us what you are passionate about, get great work experience with our employers, learn to turn up on time, be prepared to learn new things, and get help with anything that might be holding you back. Dundee employers are looking for you – and lots of Helm’s young people move on to apprenticeships every year – let us help you dare to dream! 

Hame
Hame is our housing project, working in partnership with Hillcrest Housing Association to provide homes with support for care experienced young people in Dundee aged between 16 and 25 years old.  We recognise that one of the barriers to gaining qualifications or a job is having a place to call ‘hame’, where you belong and feel safe. Our aim is for all young people to have a safe place to live that is appropriate to their needs, supports them in building relationships and gives them a springboard from which they can go on into employment and have the future that they want. When we have a vacancy at Hame, details will be published on our website and on our social media channels. Watch this space for further information soon.