Search is on for capital’s top youth workers
Scotland’s National Agency for Youth Work is looking for the very best youth work being done with young people across Edinburgh. Youth workers and volunteers in Scotland are being encouraged to nominate entries for the National Youth Worker of the Year Awards 2016 organised by YouthLink Scotland.
The 9th National Youth Worker of the Year Awards will be yet another fantastic showcase for the 80,000 youth workers and volunteers, whose remarkable work supports over 380,000 young people to reach their potential each week.
There are 10 distinctive categories this year including: Climate Change Champion; Young Person’s Champion and a Creative Arts Champion; there are also awards for innovative youth work as well as Scotland’s Volunteer of the Year.
Investing in young people has never been more important as the hard economic times continue to put pressure on the younger generation and their opportunities for the future. Youth workers are often unsung and unseen by wider society but they give an immeasurable social benefit to us all. Recent research carried out on behalf of YouthLink Scotland estimates that youth work delivers £7 in value for every £1 it costs.
Commenting, Jim Sweeney, Chief Executive of YouthLink Scotland, said: “Over half of Scotland’s young people are involved in some form of youth work, which contributes immensely to society and national government outcomes. It gives youngsters the chance and support to shine and feel good about themselves. I would love to see these categories packed with nominations from the many incredible projects and individuals across the country, whose commitment and vision really does change young people’s lives for the better.”
Aileen Campbell, Minister for Children and Young People, said: “Every year the National Youth Worker of the Year Awards rightly celebrate the often-unseen heroes who do valuable work in our communities. In the past, these awards have recognised a very broad range of individuals who have shown a true commitment to youth work. I encourage everyone to consider people in their community who could be nominated and I look forward to hearing more about the nominees and winners.”
The deadline for nominations for each of the 10 award categories is Thursday 17 December.
An Awards Dinner to announce and celebrate the achievements of the finalists will be held on Thursday 10 March 2016 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Glasgow.
The categories for the National Youth Worker of the Year Awards 2016 are:
- Youth Worker of the Year (Full-time or Full-time equivalent) – sponsored by Scottish Fire and Rescue
- Youth Worker of the Year (Sessional paid/part time) – sponsored by One Awards
- Volunteer of the Year – sponsored by Young Scot
- Innovative Practice – Team of the Year – sponsored by CLD Standards Council
- Climate Change Champion (new for 2016) sponsored by Keep Scotland Beautiful
- Time to Shine Arts and Creativity Award (new for 2016) sponsored by Creative Scotland
- Young People’s Champion (new for 2016) sponsored by Youth Scotland
- Youth Worker supporting CfE and Attainment – sponsored by Education Scotland
- Youth Work Manager of the Year – sponsored by DofE Scotland
- Agencies and Partner Organisations (Worker of the Year) – sponsored by Scottish Community Safety Network
- Lifetime Achievement Award (Fellowship of YouthLink Scotland) – sponsored by SQA
- Overall Winner (selected from winners of other categories) – sponsored by Education Scotland
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