A Young Ambassador with the charity Action for Children spent an afternoon in the presence of the King and Queen at Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh this week.
Jack Nisbett, 20, from Haddington, East Lothian, attended a Royal Garden Party on Tuesday in recognition of his outstanding voluntary work.
Jack sits on Action for Children’s Young Ambassadors Board made up of volunteers aged between 14-25 from around the UK.
The board gets involved in the charity’s work, and campaigns to influence decision-making to ensure it reflects the views of young people.
Jack has ADHD and autism and has been supported by an Action for Children housing support service for just under two years.
Action for Children representatives are nominated to attend Royal Garden Parties each year through its Patron the Princess of Wales.
Reflecting on the experience, Jack said: “I absolutely loved it. It was a brilliant day and I enjoyed every minute. I also got the chance to meet First Minister John Swinney.”
“I chose to become a Young Ambassador to help young people without a voice. I want to help make a change in the lives of other young people who go through similar situations to mine and make the world better for young people across the UK.”
Jack and Robert Inglis, Locality Services Manager at Action for Children, mingled with hundreds of guests at the garden party, which was also attended by the Duke of Edinburgh and the Princess Royal.
Robert has worked at Action for Children since 2003 and supported almost 500 young people experiencing homelessness during that time.
Robert said: “Jack is an incredible young man who uses his personality and kindness to always try and improve the lives of others.
“He has so much to offer as a Young Ambassador, and recently travelled to Glasgow with young people from other voluntary organisations to write a letter to the Scottish Government outlining key priorities for young people that politicians should be addressing.”
Jack is one of around 30,000 children, young people and families supported each year by Action for Children in Scotland, through 90 services across 30 Scottish local authorities.
Action for Children, formerly known as National Children’s Homes (NCH), opened its first Scottish service in 1955 in Rutherglen, South Lanarkshire. Since then, it has expanded to offer residential homes, disability support, youth justice, and family support services across the country.