Author: davepickering

Edinburgh reporter and photographer

Funding to support National Youth Volunteering Design Team

Young people will help create a 10 year plan for volunteering in Scotland

 As part of the Year of Young People, Communities Secretary Angela Constance has confirmed investment of up to £172,380 to develop a National Youth Volunteering Design Team in partnership with ProjectScotland and Young Scot.

Up to 25 young volunteers from a variety of backgrounds across Scotland will lead work to develop recommendations to help the Scottish Government ensure that by 2028, more people volunteer than do not.

Making the announcement at the Gathering 2018, Ms Constance said: “Volunteering is such a rewarding experience both for the volunteer and for our communities.

“This is an innovative and dynamic approach to increasing volunteering opportunities, especially for young people. Our commitment to equality and diversity underpins our approach to promoting volunteering and we want to increase such opportunities.

“Our Programme for Government promises to be bold in our vision for volunteering and to work with young people to better understand their aims and motivations. There’s no better time to do that than the Year of Young People.”

Dured Alhalabe, Founder of the Amal Project, volunteer from Aberdeenshire, and Young Scot Award winner said: “Volunteering has been so important to me. Volunteering brings people together, helps to develop new skills and makes our communities stronger. I think it’s great that other young people, like me, will have a direct say in developing the new strategy, so we can find new ways to encourage more young people get involved in volunteering.”

 

 

Last orders for Food and Drink Awards

Just two weeks left to enter Scotland’s ‘food and drink Oscars’

Businesses of any size within the Scottish food and drink industry are able to enter 22 categories which range from rewarding successful partnerships to celebrating primary producers. Entries must be made through the online application form before 5pm on Friday 9 March.  Continue reading Last orders for Food and Drink Awards

“Living Hell” respite: Syrian ceasefire agreed at last

The United Nations Security Council yesterday adopted resolution 2401 demanding a cessation of hostilities in Syria to enable delivery of humanitarian assistance. However some of the biggest rebel groups are not covered by the truce so there are concerns that the slaughter will continue unabated. Continue reading “Living Hell” respite: Syrian ceasefire agreed at last

Award-winning chef goes for second helpings!

An Edinburgh chef is to challenge to retain his title as “Hotel Chef of the Year” after winning his regional heat for the Scottish Hotel Awards. Alan Dickson, who is just 29 years old, is Head Chef at No 10 Restaurant within Ten Hill Place Hotel, which is run by the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (RCSEd) in the heart of the capital’s Old Town. Continue reading Award-winning chef goes for second helpings!