About Doune and Deanston Youth Project
Supporting local young people since 2002
Doune and Deanston Youth Project gives local young people a place to meet, spend time with friends and take part in activities.
DDYP began in 2002 with support from Kilmadock Development Trust and became an independent charity in 2004. Since then, staff, trustees, volunteers and supporters have helped us develop our activities and support for young people in Doune, Deanston and the surrounding area.
Activities and opportunities
Our drop-in Youthie sessions, offering a mix of activities and time to relax with friends, are currently offered 3x a week for different age groups. Over the years, young people have taken part in art, organised graffiti, music, film, photography, cooking and nutrition sessions, alongside adventure trips, overnight team-building events and nights out.
We have worked with the local cricket and football clubs to provide sporting activities, helped young people work towards Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards, and held educational sessions on topics including drug and alcohol awareness. Funding has also enabled us to offer one-to-one support for young people with particular needs.
In 2020, funding for a mountain bike project provided bikes, safety equipment and specialist training for support workers, creating further opportunities for outdoor activities.
After School Club
We launched our After School Club in 2018 for primary pupils from Doune, Deanston and the surrounding area.
Running throughout the school term, it offers arts and crafts, games, space for homework and supervised outdoor play in Moray Park. DDYP staff oversee the sessions, with additional help from volunteers.
The club has become an important part of our work, supported by the commitment of our staff, volunteers and regular supporters.
A permanent home at Moray Park
DDYP has occupied several buildings over the years. We started at 52 Main Street, before moving to the old café area in the Woodside Hotel, followed by a short time in the Rural Hall.
In 2008, we moved into four second-hand portable buildings at Moray Park. They served us well, but we needed a permanent building with more room for our activities.
Planning began in 2018. After years of fundraising and preparation, construction started in 2025. The new DDYP Pavilion opened its doors in November that year and was officially opened in March 2026.
The pavilion has a large main activity area, breakout room, kitchen, office and toilets. It is home to our Youthie sessions, After School Club and holiday activities, with spaces also available for community hire.
Supported by our community
Everything we do depends on the people who support DDYP, from our staff, trustees and volunteers to local families, funders and donors.
Their time, commitment and generosity have helped us continue our work for more than 20 years and made our new pavilion possible. With a permanent home, we can develop our activities and offer more opportunities for local young people and the wider community.