Three Edinburgh projects are in the running for awards at this year’s National Youth Work Awards, organised by YouthLink Scotland.
Spartan Community Football Academy has been shortlisted for not one, but two national youth awards, for their work with young people to raise attainment.
Action for Children’s Inclusion project led by youngsters has been shortlisted for the National Equality and Youth Work Award.
Young people taking action in their community has resulted in Citadel Youth Centre receiving a nomination for the Youth Participation Award for their Youth Ambassador programme.
Action for Children Heritage and Inclusion Project, Edinburgh
Included not excluded. We all have a right to be involved, try new things, have fun and experiences that can be life changing.
For young people from minority ethnic backgrounds this is not always the case, and that is something the Action for Children Heritage and Inclusion Ambassadors were not going to put up with.
They have co-produced a Charter that aims to help schools develop social justice and inclusion programmes for BME young people, creating positive experiences within the wider school community.
The Charter delivers champion groups in schools to ensure everyone has access and they have been successful in driving change, more BME young people are getting involved in all aspects of school life, from presenting to teachers through to running equality workshops for other pupils.
The Charter is supported by the local community as well as MSPs. It’s a great example of young people’s determination to tackle discrimination with their voice and not accept an unacceptable status quo!
The project works in the Royal HIgh, Broughton, Drummond and Portobello High Schools.
The Spartans Community Football Academy, Edinburgh
For some young people, the traditional classroom environment is a struggle.
The Spartans Community Football Academy understand this and work in partnership with schools across Edinburgh to provide a flexible, tailored learning pathway for students at their alternative school.
And their impact is clear, as students have gone on to achieve qualifications that would not have been possible without a different take on learning.
Alternative School Manager, Emma Easton sums up their approach: “We are led by the young people’s interests and desire to succeed.
“All our academic work is set in a context relevant to the young person and we work alongside them wherever possible to unlock their potential and help them achieve.
“The young people tell us they respond to our consistency, warmth, humour and relentless positivity as we offer them an opportunity to reach their goals.”
The Spartans Youth Work Team, Edinburgh
Community intuition, knowing your neighbourhood, knowing how to connect with people who live and work beside you.
Spartans do know their community, they understand the challenges faced by young people, they reflect the needs of the community, and provide the support they need to grow and flourish.
The Spartans Youth Work Team is ensuring that all young people in North Edinburgh have a safe place to play, socialise and take part in fun activities.
Whether it’s FooTEA, Spartans AM Breakfast Club or their new Welcoming Club for the Syrian Community.
In 2018, they celebrated their 10th anniversary, and what a birthday! They now support over 300,000 young people and deliver over 3,000 hours of face-to-face youth work each year.
From attending the club seven years ago to volunteering today, Liam put forward this nomination for SCFA: “I feel safe… I feel more confident now.”
North East Edinburgh Youth Ambassadors: Citadel Youth Centre
It’s all in the power of grassroots action. These ambassadors are an amazing example of young people-led participation and engagement.
The group, who didn’t know each other, are from completely different backgrounds, came together with one mission: to give young people a better name in their local area.
The creation of the North East Youth Awards is a fantastic celebration of what young people contribute, with categories like LGBT Ally and Helping the Elderly, the ambassadors showcased so many young people and the positive change they make to their community.
The group have also been a force of influence with local politicians through their Young People’s Consultation, resulting in a more ‘teen friendly’ park in Leith and a promise to consult with more young people going forward.
Their work is helping to create closer ties between young people and their communities.
Tim Frew, CEO of YouthLink Scotland said: “Over the last year we have seen some fantastic examples of youth work making an immense contribution to young people’s lives, illustrated by the great success that was Year of Young People 2018.
In every part of Scotland, every day, thousands of youth workers, many of them volunteers, are supporting young people to follow their dreams and realise their potential, These finalists from Edinburgh are great examples of the positive impact youth work has.”
Edinburgh Northern and Leith MSP Ben Macpherson has welcomed the announcement. He said: “”It’s great to see Spartans Community Football Academy and Citadel Youth Centre shortlisted for the YouthLink Scotland Awards – well deserved for the fantastic work they do in North Edinburgh and Leith to support and encourage young people!”
The National Youth Work Awards 2019 are all about celebrating the power of incredible youth work and the vital role of Scotland’s 70,000 youth work volunteers and staff in the lives of our young people. This national event is co-designed with young people, who have been involved in the judging and the planning of the night.
The winners will be announced at an Awards dinner on Wednesday 13 March 2019 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Glasgow, hosted by broadcaster and pantomime villan, Grant Stott and Richard Lochhead MSP, Minister for Higher Education, Further Education and Youth Work.
To get involved visit the YouthLink Scotland website at
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