Highland Thrive is proud to be delivering Planet Youth activity in Dornoch Academy and across the wider community over the next two years.
This work represents a shift in how we think about supporting young people, not just responding to challenges when they arise, but taking a long-term, preventative approach that strengthens the environment around them.
What is Planet Youth?
Planet Youth is an internationally recognised, evidence-based approach that originated in Iceland. It was developed in response to high levels of substance use among young people and has since become one of the most successful primary prevention models in the world.
At its core, Planet Youth is about reducing risk factors and strengthening protective factors in young people’s lives.
Rather than focusing solely on individual behaviour, the model looks at the wider system around a young person:
- Family and home life
- School environment
- Peer groups
- Community and local opportunities
The aim is to create conditions where young people are supported to make positive choices, feel connected, and have access to meaningful
How the Model Works
Planet Youth follows a structured, data-informed cycle:
Gathering local data:
Young people complete surveys that provide insight into their experiences, behaviours and environment.
Analysing and sharing findings:
This data is used to build a clear picture of what is happening locally.
Community-led planning:
Local partners come together to agree priorities and actions based on the evidence.
Taking action:
Interventions are delivered at a community level, focused on increasing protective factors.
Review and repeat:
The process is ongoing, allowing communities to adapt and respond over time.
This approach ensures that activity is driven by real local need, not assumptions.
What This Means for Dornoch
In Dornoch, our role is to support the coordination and delivery of this approach alongside local partners.
This will include:
- Supporting the local Community Action Group
- Strengthening links between school, families and community
- Increasing access to activities for young people
- Supporting youth voice and participation
- Helping turn data into practical, local action
We will work closely with Dornoch Academy, Parents, local organisations, volunteers and services to ensure that activity is joined up and accessible.
Why This Matters in a Highland Context
Rural and remote communities face unique challenges.
Access to activities, transport, and services can be limited. Opportunities that may be readily available in urban areas are often harder to reach.
At the same time, communities like Dornoch have strong assets, close-knit networks, active volunteers and a strong sense of place.
Planet Youth provides a framework to build on these strengths, while addressing gaps in provision.
By increasing availability and access to positive activities, strengthening relationships and creating more opportunities for engagement, we can support better long-term outcomes for young people.
A Long-Term Commitment
Planet Youth is not a short-term project. It is a long-term, community-driven approach that requires collaboration, consistency and shared ownership.
Over the next two years, our focus will be on:
- Embedding the model locally
- Building strong partnerships
- Supporting sustainable activity
- Ensuring young people are at the centre of decision-making
Looking Ahead
This is an important step for Highland Thrive and for Dornoch.
By working together with young people, families, schools, partners and the wider community, we can create an environment where young people are supported to thrive.
We look forward to sharing progress as this work develops.
