IT WAS the trip of a lifetime ...

the chance for Glasgow football fans to share their love of the beautiful game in the stunning Italian countryside.

A dozen volunteer coaches were chosen by Partick Thistle Charitable Trust (PTCT) to spend a fortnight at the Sportilia Training complex in the Emilia-Romagna region.

And while the focus may have been on delivering coaching sessions to more than 250 children, it was about so much more than just football.

For some, it was a journey of self discovery.

The trip, in partnership with Cumbernauld College, was part of the Leonardo Da Vinci programme which funds projects related to vocational education and training.

"We took volunteer coaches who had been working on different initiatives within our geographical area," says Barry McLelland, Partick Thistle Community Trust director.

The trust promotes health and well-being, education, football and citizenship through a range of activities in partnership with local organisations including Young Peoples' Futures, The Prince's Trust in Maryhill, Phoenix Futures and Enable Scotland.

"They all have different aims and objectives," says Barry.

"With the drug and alcohol groups it's psychological and physiological improvement and sustainment to prevent misuse.

"With youth groups where young people could be at risk of offending it's a diversionary and intervention thing while our work with girls is more health and well-being focused, encouraging female participation in sport.

"We do employability with Glasgow City Council vocational department providing 16-19 year olds with the transferable skills that can take them into the workplace and with Enable Scotland it's geared around skills such as time-keeping, communication, confidence, leadership skills – all the things that can equip them for any job."

Barry believes that as football is something that most people can relate to, it acts as a hook, or vehicle, to get them interested in learning.

"Using football, or health and fitness, as the medium is phenomenal because you can see the journey travelled," he says.

"There's the progression, whether it's improving confidence, helping them to become more employable or to move into further education."

For George Beattie, 33, of Possil, the Italy trip was a life-changing experience. He got involved with PTCT through Phoenix Futures which provides services, including residential rehabilitation, for people with drug and alcohol problems.

He's focused and feeling positive about his future after battling drug addiction, including heroin and crack cocaine.

"I didn't see anything beyond that kind of lifestyle until I got into Phoenix Futures where I was able to build my confidence and self esteem," he says.

"PTCT are linked in to deliver health and fitness courses with Phoenix so I was doing a session every week, circuit training followed by a game of football and Barry must have seen my determination and commitment and work ethic."

He couldn't believe it when he was told he'd been chosen for the coaching camp. "I thought they were kidding me on, I nearly fell off my seat," he laughs.

"I had to get my first passport – I was like a big kid when I got it."

George says it's the start of a new journey: "It's a second chance and I'm grabbing it with both hands.

"Life was chaotic for so many years, I was caught up in addiction for around 12 years, so it has taken a big chunk out of my life.

"I couldn't communicate with anybody, I had a lot of hatred for myself and everyone else."

But as he explained there was a turning point.

"Thinking that there was nothing to live for and wanting to end my life, but I didn't have the guts to follow it through because of my family," he said.

"They're really supportive and the stuff I put them through – the worry, the fear – it's good to be in a place where I can now link up with them.

"I knew I would have put them through a lot of pain and anguish and there was still some part, something inside me, that couldn't do it to them.

"I knew I had a lot more to offer in life and now my head's cleared, I believe in myself."

For Owen Connachan, 18, the Italian experience has given him a new-found confidence and he's using everything he learned to make a difference in his own community.

He volunteers at Young Peoples' Futures in Possil – the group has previously won a Community Champion award – which works with children and young people aged five to 18, offering everything from weekly drop-in sessions to activities such as sports and creative arts.

Owen, who hopes to pursue a career in sport, has been delivering coaching sessions to the young people who visit the Possil Point Community Centre.

It's a place which he says plays an important role in the community, giving young people an alternative to hanging around on the streets.

"I've been going to YPF for years, usually once a week to see friends and play football and pool," he says.

"Since I arrived home I've been doing volunteer coaching and I'm really enjoying it. I want to give something back."

He says the fortnight in Italy has opened his eyes: "It was a brilliant experience, just even getting to go there in the first place.

"Coaching people from a different culture was great. I feel proud of myself – it has really helped my confidence."