Tag: Young people

NFU Mutual launches 2023 Scottish Inspirational Young Person Award

Leading insurer NFU Mutual has partnered with industry body Scotland Food & Drink to launch the 2023 ‘Inspirational Young Person Award’.

Talented young people working in the food and drink industry are being encouraged to enter the fifth annual ‘Inspirational Young Person Award’.

The award seeks to uncover inspiring examples of talented people aged 16 to 26 who own, work, or study in the food and drink sector and who are a driving success in their field.

The award will highlight the innovation young people bring to Scotland’s food and drink businesses, as well as the important contribution they make to the sector’s long-term future.

Entries and nominations are now open and the closing date is 3rd July. The first, second and third place winners will be announced during Scottish Food & Drink Fortnight (5-20th September) and awarded cash prizes of £500, £300 and £200 respectively.  

In recognition of the challenges the industry has faced economically in the last year and the part it can play environmentally such as cutting down on food waste, this year’s judges are looking for entrants who are adapting the way they work and contributing to the resilience of Scotland’s food and drink sector.

Last year’s winner was 23-year-old Craig Chambers, a Distiller at Dunnet Bay Distillers based in Thurso.

He impressed the judges with his natural flair for the distillery business and the way he identified improvements and helped create new recipes designed to reduce energy consumption during distilling by 90%, which helped the business maintain the original price point for customers as energy prices increased.  

Since winning the award, Craig has expanded his horizons and is presently on a placement at a distillery in South America.

Craig said: “Winning this award was an amazing high-point for me. I have since been on a placement at a distillery in Argentina to learn even more about the industry and other food and drink cultures.

“The prize money came in very handy for my travels too.”

Mark McBrearty, NFU Mutual’s Regional Manager in Scotland and one of the judges for the award, said: “The importance of young people to Scotland’s food and drink sector cannot be overstated. This special award illustrates just how wide a contribution they make and how valuable their drive and innovation are to business success.

He added: “Like all industries, the food and drink sector has been facing some very challenging times. This year’s judging will consider how young people have responded to this and also adapted to the way they work environmentally, such as saving energy or cutting down on food waste.”

Iain Baxter, Chief Executive at Scotland Food & Drink, said: “I am really looking forward to discovering the wealth of talent – both culinary and business-focused – among the younger generation in our industry. 

He added: “Scotland has a proud reputation nationally and internationally for its food, drink and hospitality. Supporting the future of our sector by recognising up and coming talent is crucial to its long-term success.” 

How to Enter 

The NFU Mutual and Scotland Food & Drink Inspirational Young Person Award 2022 is open for entries until 3rd July 2023. Submit your entry or make a nomination here.

Any individual between the ages of 16 and 26 who owns, works, or studies within a food and drink related business, organisation or institution can be nominated or enter on their own behalf.

The winner will receive £500, with the second and third place finalists receiving £300 and £200 respectively. Winners will be announced in September 2022. 

For more information on the range of NFU Mutual insurance services, visit: 

https://www.nfumutual.co.uk

YOUTH CLIMATE ACTIVISTS TO MARCH AGAINST FOSSIL FUELS

FRIDAY 3rd MARCH – Middle Meadow Walk – 11am

Fridays For Future have announced a global climate strike tomorrow, Friday 3 March, which will see protestors march from Middle Meadow Walk to the Scottish Parliament, departing at 11 am.

The organisers will emphasise the catastrophic effects that fossil fuels have on our planet and its people; the lives being sacrificed for new oil and gas.

Adam Ballard, a 17-year-old activist with Fridays For Future, said: “The climate crisis and the cost of living crisis have the same root cause: the refusal to move away from fossil fuels.

“There is no energy shortage; there is a corrupt system that prioritises profit over people. While ordinary people are forced to choose between heating and eating, the people in power and fossil fuel CEOs continue to make unimaginable profits.”

After the march, there will be a rally in front of the Scottish Parliament where speakers from supportive groups including Stop Rosebank, Youth in Resistance, the Edinburgh High School Students Union and Palestine Action will share words with the activists and lend their experiences.

Niamh Gill, 16, said, “The science clearly states there can be no more oil, gas or coal developments if we want a liveable future.

“The UK government is keeping Rosebank, Jackdaw and the newly proposed Whitehaven coal mine on the table, instead of securing and investing in a just transition to renewables for the workers and wider society, and climate justice for all.”

Harris, an 18-year-old activist added: “The Global North has already used up 90% of the carbon budget to have a chance of staying below 1.5 or 2 degrees of warming. Millions in the Global South are far more vulnerable to this crisis, despite having the least responsibility in causing it.

“Yet our countries, governments and corporations continue to exploit them and destroy their lives and communities in search of more profit. The facts are clear, fossil fuels are fatal.”

Fridays for Future Edinburgh are calling on everyone to join them on March 3rd to protest against fossil fuels and the UK Government’s continued expansion of fossil fuel projects.

Our Spaces: art exhibition by young people from North Edinburgh

For the last five Friday afternoons, the Craigroyston Community High School pupils below have been working with the Granton Youth Project and the City Art Centre to create artwork for an exhibition at the City Art Centre (Market Street) on Friday 17th February:

Lamiya Hossain

Faiza Manha

Leona May

Laura Mendoza

Biva Rahman

Yasmin Theisen De Figueiredo

Firdaws Yaich El Yahyaoui

If you are up town and able to, then please pop into the gallery between 2 – 4pm to meet the artists and see their fantastic artwork on display!

Congratulations everyone! 🎉🎨👩🏽‍🎨👨🏻‍🎨

Holyrood committee seeks views on proposed changes to young people’s criminal justice system

Changes to the care of children and the involvement of children in the criminal justice system are to come under scrutiny at the Scottish Parliament.

The Education, Children and Young People Committee will consider the proposals laid out in the Children (Care and Justice) (Scotland) Bill and would like to hear the views of people from across Scotland.

The Bill changes how the justice system approaches offences committed by people under the age of 18. This will include allowing most 16- and 17-year-olds to attend a Children’s Hearing, rather than a court.

Changes would also be made to regulations around accommodations for young people. Under the proposals 16- and 17-year-olds, accused of or guilty of offences would not be held in Young Offenders Institutions or prisons, but instead would be sent to secure accommodation. The Bill would also change how care services providing residential accommodation to children are regulated.

The Committee is opening a call for views so it can hear the views of organisations supporting young people in conflict with the law, young people and parents. The Committee is also very interested in hearing the views of legal professionals, secure accommodation providers and victims of crime.

Following the end of the consultation the Committee plans to hold a series of evidence sessions to discuss the Bill, before reporting its findings to the Parliament later in the year.

Sue Webber, Convener of the Education, Children and Young People Committee said: “The Bill we will be scrutinising will allow all 16- and 17-year-olds to access the Children’s Hearings System for the first time.

“This aims to safeguard those at risk of harm and change how the justice system deals with young people who have committed offences. It also introduces a range of further measures designed to improve the way that children are treated, including ensuring no young person under the age of 18 will be sent to a Young Offenders’ Institution or prison.

“We want to get a thorough understanding of how the proposals in the Bill might impact on people across Scotland, including young people themselves, children’s support organisations and youth justice bodies.

“Please share your views on these proposals with our Committee before the 17 March 2023 deadline.”

From pensioners to teenagers, HMRC reveals who files a tax return

HMRC has revealed that more pensioners filed a tax return for the 2020 to 2021 tax year compared to young people.

Overall, those aged 65 and over accounted for 16% of individuals who submitted a tax return, whereas 16 to 24 year olds made up 2.7% of total filers.

The new data is part of analysis by HMRC into the demographic data of the Self Assessment population.

The findings also show:

  • people aged 45 to 54 were the largest group of filers, accounting for 24% of all tax returns submitted
  • more than 294,000 16 to 24 year olds filed a return, making up 2.7% of total filers
  • 62% of those who submitted a return last year were men, compared to 38% who were women

The data also showed that almost 146,000 people submitted their tax return at the earliest opportunity between 6 and 11 April 2021.

More than 12 million people are expected to file a Self Assessment tax return for the 2021 to 2022 tax year. Anyone yet to submit theirs has until 31 January to complete it, pay any tax owed or set up a payment plan, or risk having to pay a penalty.

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, said: “Time is running out for anyone who has yet to start their tax return – there is a wide range of guidance and webinars available online for those who need a helping hand. Just search ‘Self Assessment’ on GOV.UK to make a start.“

Payments are also due on 31 January and customers still have time to decide which payment option is best for them. For customers who are due a refund, they should include their bank account details in their tax return so that if HMRC needs to repay them, it can be done quickly and securely.

Customers can now use the free and secure HMRC app to make Self Assessment payments, as well as accessing information which they need to complete their tax return, including their Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR), National Insurance number and employment history.

Those who are unable to pay their tax bill in full can access support and advice on GOV.UK. HMRC may be able to help by arranging an affordable payment plan, known as Time to Pay. Customers should try to do this online; go to GOV.UK for more information. Alternatively, they can contact the helpline.

HMRC has a wide range of resources to help customers complete their tax return, including guidance, webinars and YouTube videos.

Customers need to be aware of the risk of scams as criminals use Self Assessment as an opportunity to commit fraud. Customers should check HMRC’s scams advice on GOV.UK.

Edinburgh North East Scouts has opportunities for volunteers

Sign up for the online information evening on Tuesday 29th November at 7.30pm here https://sesscouts.org.uk/edinburgh-north-east-scouts-information-event/ 

We know everyone is busy, so this event is taking place online to fit in around family, work and life. It’ll only take 1 hour and will be informative.

Did you know Edinburgh North East Scouts has almost 100 young people on a waiting list to join?

And they need new helpers to support their 14 Scout Groups in Portobello, Craigentinny, Craigmillar, Duddingston, Calton, Joppa, Stockbridge, Pilrig, Broughton, Trinity, Leith, Newhaven, Wardie and Willowbrae. 

Sign up for this event to find out about the exciting things the Scout Groups get up to and flexible volunteering opportunities.

Demand by young people to join Scouts in the Edinburgh North East area is good with youth waiting lists growing. However, they need new adult volunteers to reduce the waiting list and enable more local young people to benefit from Scouting. 

Edinburgh North East Scouts is looking to the local community and organisations to help change the lives of local young people. They are appealing for help to reduce the youth waiting list and support 100 more young people to benefit from Scouts. 

Scouts is only possible thanks to superstar volunteers – ordinary people, like you, making an extraordinary difference in young people’s lives. They are looking for new adult volunteers to assist their existing leader and executive team.

So please consider what you can do and if you know anyone who may be willing to get involved and ask them to come along to the event too. It is possible that they may consider a job share if that was of interest to you?

Scouting has a reputation for helping young people to develop resilience, a positive character, respect for others, good community skills, as well as physical and mental fitness. Can you help inspire the doers and give it a goers of the future?

FACT 1: There are 14 Scout Groups in the Edinburgh North East area and they all want to provide more Scouting to more local young children.
FACT 2: You don’t need to have any specific skills or be Bear Grylls to lend a hand.
FACT 3: They have a collective youth waiting list of almost 100.
FACT 4: If you volunteer as a Leader to get involved now then they can look at how your child could get automatic entry into their preferred Scout Group.
FACT 5: You don’t have to have previous Scouting experience to get involved. 

As a District, they want to offer your child and other local children across the Edinburgh North East area the chance to participate in all the fun experiences and adventures they do in Scouting week to week such as, camping, fire-lighting, climbing and abseiling, and yes, learning how to tie and use knots (these will come in handy in later life!). 

Are you passionate about seeing local young people succeed? Are you a team player with a positive, can-do attitude? Do you enjoy fun activities? Do you want to do more in your community?

Are you more of a ‘behind the scenes’ person? Do you have a skill or hobby you can share? Then this event is right up your street.  Scouts has the opportunities – you just show up, get stuck in and make memories for life! 

We all have the power to help young people to realise their potential.  You don’t need to have been a Scout when you were younger.

You don’t even need to know how to put up a tent. Their door is open to people of all ages, genders, races and backgrounds, and they’re only able to change lives because people like you lend a hand.

There’s lots of ways you can get more involved with Scouts as a parent, carer or family member. From helping out occasionally on a family rota or as part of their Executive Committee to stepping up as a leader, their volunteering activities are as varied as you. 

The good news is you shape what you do and the time you have to give. Scouts happens when a lot of us give a little … and no, you don’t have to be a Scout or outdoors expert to volunteer.

Most of their volunteers work directly with young people aged 6-18 through their Beaver, Cub and Explorer groups – helping young people gain skills for life through fun activities.

District Commissioner, Rob Whitelaw, said: “This isn’t a job application, and you certainly don’t have to be an adventurer like Bear Grylls to get involved with Scouting and in fact not many of our volunteers are!

“Do you have first aid knowledge? Are you good with numbers? Handy in the kitchen? Or are you a DIY whizz? We all have useful skills, and you can volunteer and help in many ways.

“Are you ready to inspire a generation of young people to experience fun, friendship and real adventure? The opportunities to volunteer with us are flexible. Think of something you’d like to do, and chances are it’s just what we require.

“Whatever your skills, experience and interests, we can find a role for you!”

Sign up for the online information evening on Tuesday 29th November at 7.30pm here:

https://sesscouts.org.uk/edinburgh-north-east-scouts-information-event/

Construction Festival at Royston Wardieburn tomorrow

Two innovative construction festivals are taking place in Edinburgh as part of Scottish Careers Week with over 120 school pupils attending.

The two events, at Royston Wardieburn Community Centre (Wednesday 9 November) and Gate 55 Community Centre (Thursday 10 November), have invited local schools to attend including Wester Hailes, Forrester, St Augustines, Gorgie Mills, Trinity, Broughton and Craigroyston.

Council suppliers involved in the regeneration of Wester Hailes and North Edinburgh (including Granton and Pennywell/Muirhouse) are delivering a wide array of inspiration talks, practical hands-on skills demonstrations and showcasing the use of technology and net zero principles in construction over the course of the two events.

During the pandemic the City of Edinburgh Council, in partnership with Developing the Young Workforce, offered the Build Your Future programme which looks to promote the full range of diverse careers within construction to young people in four secondary schools in the city.

Following this successful pilot, a number of the Council’s construction-related contractors now have partnerships in place with every secondary school and five special schools and will be offering Build Your Future this academic year.

These school partnerships are being set up to address the skills shortages in the construction industry within both traditional construction trades and professional and back-office roles. It also aims to encourage a more diverse and inclusive workforce by starting to work closely with pupils from S1 to provide insights into construction.

The City of Edinburgh Council has focused on maximising the benefits which can be achieved from Community Benefit clauses in supplier contracts to create the capacity to deliver these partnerships and events to the benefit of young people and their communities.

Cammy Day, Leader of the City of Edinburgh Council Leader, said: “Edinburgh really is leading the way by putting on these construction festivals as they are highlighting in tangible ways the range of diverse careers that are open to young people within construction industry.

“Both these festivals, and the Skills Academy we launched back in May, show our partnership approach to supporting our young people in providing them with the skills and experience to secure employment. Thanks must go to the various teams at the Council, who have made all these enterprises possible.

“There’s been substantial financial investment in these regeneration programmes by both the Council and its partners and they are a fantastic example of the public and private sector working together to strengthen the communities they are working in.”

James Russell, Skills Development Scotland’s Director of CIAG (Career Information Advice Guidance) Operations, said: “We’re delighted to be officially launching our new Virtual Reality My World of Work Live construction activity in partnership with Balfour Beatty at the Construction Careers and Skills Festival.

“It comes at a fantastic time as we celebrate Scottish Careers Week and events like this are a great example of how young people are experiencing the world of work and learning about the opportunities available to them in exciting ways.

“Through using the new experiential VR system and flying drones as part of our My World of Work Live Drones in Construction activity, pupils will have the chance to learn about and develop the skills that they’ll need for the future, no matter what sector they choose to work in.”

Emma Duncan, Programme Delivery Manager for Developing the Young Workforce (DYW), said: “DYW are delighted to be supporting both the North Edinburgh and Wester Hailes Construction Festivals.

“The festivals will have a great impact inspiring young people, as well as showcasing the range of routes and pathways into a career in the industry.” 

Scott Miller, Chairman of the National Federation Roofing Contractors Scotland, said: “NFRC is delighted to continue to work with The City of Edinburgh Council to promote construction as a career of choice to young people in the city.

“It is imperative that we promote the diversity of roles within the industry to help young people make informed choices about their future careers. NFRC is looking forward to continuing to work with the council to raise awareness of the potential careers within the sector to young people in Edinburgh.”

Council teams involved in the skills projects include: Housing Strategy and Development, Mixed Tenure Improvement Service (MTIS), Development and Regeneration, Sustainable Development, Edinburgh Waterfront and Commercial/Procurement Services and Customer and Digital Services.

Additional information about Pennywell/Muirhouse and Wester Hailes projects:

Pennywell/Muirhouse

The regeneration of Pennywell and Muirhouse is a long-term strategic programme for the Council, its partners and the local community. The demolition of unsuitable properties has made way for new homes, retail, the new Craigroyston High School and Pennywell All Care Centre.  

A new community hub is under construction at Macmillan Square which will include an Early Learning and Childcare Centre for 185 children, a library and skills hub, affordable homes, and an expanded and refurbished North Edinburgh Arts (NEA) facility, now in community ownership following the conclusion of a Community Asset Transfer.

Almost 1,000 new homes are planned across a range of housing tenures to meet the different needs in the area.  Of these, 411 social and mid market rent homes have been completed to date against a planned 581.  

These are complemented by 239 homes for sale against a planned 415 .  Overall the regeneration represents well over £100 million investment by the Council and its partners including substantial support from Scottish Government.

Wester Hailes

The regeneration of Wester Hailes is a key part of our plan to deliver place-based 20 minute neighbourhoods, and build on the strong foundations of the community-led Wester Hailes Local Place Plan.

Work has started to support the radical transformation of Wester Hailes over the next 10 to 15 years. A development and regeneration framework is being prepared, setting out opportunities for

  • new net zero carbon homes
  • energy-efficiency improvements to existing homes
  • improved transport connections
  • landscape and greenspace improvements
  • enhancing services, such as schools and health centres
  • improving opportunities for employment and learning.

The regeneration will look at how opportunities around the Union Canal can be realised, including canal-side development and promoting other uses. We will also consider how a range of services are delivered in Wester Hailes.