Tag: Sunday Mail

Young people from Edinburgh scoop four Young Scot Awards

EDINBURGH’S FERGUS CRAWLEY IS YOUNG SCOT OF THE YEAR

Young people from Edinburgh have been announced as winners in the Arts, Equality and Diversity and Health and Wellbeing categories at this year’s Sunday Mail Young Scot Awards. Fergus Crawley, 25, also took home the title of ‘Young Scot of the Year’.

Fergus won the top spot in the Health and Wellbeing category for his work in encouraging young people to open up about their mental health struggles.

The personal trainer has been fundraising since 2018 to raise money for a host of men’s mental health charities, including going up and down Ben Nevis for 11 consecutive days, squatting 125,000 kg in 24 hours, and embarking on a 94-mile run.

His efforts have seen him raise a total of £100,000 in just four years, which Fergus hopes will go a long way to helping to break the stereotypes surrounding men’s mental health so that less people suffer in silence.

His charitable efforts blew the judges away, who also awarded Fergus Young Scot of the Year.

FOR SUNDAY MAIL Award 10, Equality and Diversity Award winner Whatever Next, presented by Carole Ann McCann, Arnold Clark. Young Scot Awards 2022, Edinburgh International Conference Centre. All money payable:- Mark Anderson Flat 2/2 Glasgow G41 3HG

Addie, Hannah and Jo, all from the capital, won the Equality and Diversity award, sponsored by Arnold Clark, for their work in setting up Whatever Next? – a multi-media platform that explores their experiences as Chinese adoptees, and adoptees in general.

Through a monthly podcast, the three discuss the varied experiences they have had as adoptees, and how it has impacted the different areas of their lives – covering areas like the ABCs of adoption, food, adoptive parents and dating as an adoptee.

In doing so, they aim to open up a conversation around adoption – busting myths and providing relatable narratives to other adoptees.

The work of Whatever Next? has won acclaim and the chance to speak on bigger platforms – with the trio having been interviewed on national television. Their work also won them the Creative Edinburgh Student Award in 2021.

Jordan Stewart and Amaranta Laing won the top spot in the Arts category for their work in creating Fusion – an organisation which aims to amplify the voices of young people through the power of music.

By partnering with Children 1st, Jordan and Amaranta have helped 10-year-old Sophie to produce ‘Sophie’s Song. Sophie created the track in the hope of influencing the justice system for victims and witnesses of crime.

Now in its sixteenth year, the annual awards highlight the triumphs of young people in 13 different categories – from sport and the environment to enterprise and volunteering. They shine a light on the invaluable contributions made by remarkable young people across Scotland.

The winners were announced at a star-studded red-carpet ceremony at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre. Radio 1 DJ Gemma Cairney hosted the evening.

Commenting on his win, Fergus said: “I had a great evening at the awards ceremony, and it was even better to be walking away with not one but two awards!

“It’s always a nice bonus to get recognition from the work I’ve been doing, but it’s the conversations around mental health that are the really important aspect. I’m hoping these awards will encourage more young people to open up about their experiences and allow me to continue visiting schools across Scotland to raise awareness of what I’m doing.”

Addie, Hannah and Jo said: “It’s so incredible to have won – we didn’t expect it all! It’s amazing to see that the work we’ve been doing is having an impact and making a difference.

“We’re really excited to have just signed a book deal and are working on getting everything finalised ahead of the launch in August.”

Jordan and Amaranta added: “There are no words to express how we felt when we found out we’d one – it was just surreal!

“It was such an honour for us to be able to take on the project and share Sophie’s story and we’re looking forward to composing more songs in the future. Congratulations to all the other nominees and winners”

Kirsten Urquhart, Chief Executive of Young Scot, said: “We’ve been completely inspired by the stories of our nominees, finalists and winners, who are all doing extraordinary things to improve the lives of others.

“We’ve kept the spirit of the Sunday Mail Young Scot Awards alive for the past two years by hosting fantastic virtual events, but it’s brilliant to have the awards back in all of their glory this year to celebrate Scotland’s young people, who do so much to inspire, support and motivate those around them.”

Award host Gemma Cairney said: “It was an absolute honour to host this year’s Sunday Mail Young Scot Awards. I was inspired by listening to the winners’ stories and their commitment to helping others in their community is truly remarkable. Congratulations to our winners and finalists!”

Edinburgh’s young people announced as Young Scot Awards finalists

Young people from across Edinburgh have been announced as finalists in this year’s Sunday Mail Young Scot Awards in recognition of their incredible achievements. 

Jordan Stewart and Amaranta Laing, both from the capital, have been nominated in the Arts category for their work in creating Fusion – an organisation which aims to amplify the voices of young people through the power of music.

By partnering with Children 1st, Jordan and Amaranta have helped 10-year-old Sophie to produce ‘Sophie’s Song. Sophie created the track in the hope of influencing the justice system for victims and witnesses of crime.

26-year-old Rhys Gilchrist joins Jordan and Amaranta in the Arts category.

Photo – Chris Watt Web – www.chriswatt.com Mobile – 07887554193 Instagram – @chriswattphotography

The talented musician regularly facilitates interactive sessions at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children to bring joy, fun and creativity to young people going through difficult times. Rhys also recently organised an orchestra visit to offer patients a distraction and hosts a song writing group to support those undergoing treatment in writing and producing their own music.

Fergus Crawley, 25, has been nominated in the Wellbeing category for his work in encouraging young people to open up about their mental health struggles.

Fergus, who works as a personal trainer, has been fundraising since 2018 to raise money for a host of men’s mental health charities, including going up and down Ben Nevis for 11 consecutive days, squatting 125,000 kg in 24 hours, and embarking on a 94-mile run.

His efforts have seen him raise a total of £100,000 in just four years, which Fergus hopes will go a long way to helping to break the stereotypes surrounding men’s mental health so that less people suffer in silence.

21-year-old Connor Muir has been nominated in the Volunteering category.

Connor, who lives in Leith, has been dedicated to making a difference to his local community for years, having volunteered with the Citadel Youth Centre since he was just 16. Connor helped to set up the centre’s intergenerational café, New Spin and often runs errands for a lot of the older members.

Throughout lockdown, Connor volunteered to take supplies and meals to vulnerable families and young people and would often spend time with isolated people in the neighbourhood – offering them much-needed friendship during a lonely time.

Addie, Hannah and Jo, all from Edinburgh, have been nominated in the Equality and Diversity category for their work in setting up Whatever Next? – a multi-media platform that explores their experiences as Chinese adoptees, and adoptees in general.

Through a monthly podcast, the three discuss the varied experiences they have had as adoptees, and how it has impacted the different areas of their lives – covering areas like the ABCs of adoption, food, adoptive parents and dating as an adoptee.

In doing so, they aim to open up a conversation around adoption – busting myths and providing relatable narratives to other adoptees. The work of Whatever Next? has won acclaim and the chance to speak on bigger and bigger platforms – with the trio having appeared on BBC Radio Scotland, LBC, and in the Herald.

Their work also won them the Creative Edinburgh Student Award in 2021.

The finalists all impressed an esteemed panel of judges with their outstanding contributions to their communities. The Sunday Mail Young Scot Awards aims to recognise and inspire extraordinary young people from across the country who are making a real difference to the lives of others.

Now in its sixteenth year, the awards highlight the triumphs of young people in a range of categories – from sport and the environment to enterprise and volunteering – and shine a light on the invaluable contributions made by remarkable young people across Scotland.

The results will be announced on 27 April 2022 at a star-studded red-carpet awards ceremony hosted at Edinburgh’s International Conference Centre.

The winners will join a prestigious roll call of previous recipients including RuPaul’s Drag Race champion Lawrence Chaney and social media star Jamie Genevieve.

Charitable duo Jack Mullen and Alfie King were crowned 2021’s ‘Young Scots of the Year’ for their work raising donations and keeping community spirit alive during the pandemic.

Kirsten Urquhart, Chief Executive (Interim) at Young Scot, said: “The inspiring work of these remarkable young people is a testament to what the Sunday Mail Young Scot Awards are all about – recognising, championing and celebrating the achievements of Scotland’s young people.

“Congratulations to all of the 2022 finalists!”

There’s still time to nominate Edinburgh’s unsung heroes for the Young Scot Awards

The countdown is on to nominate local young heroes for the Sunday Mail Young Scot Awards 2022, which recognises the extraordinary young people who are making a real difference to the lives of others.

Now in its sixteenth year, the awards highlight the triumphs of young people across a range of categories – from sport and the environment to enterprise and volunteering – and shine a light on the invaluable contributions made by remarkable young people across Scotland.

Nominations are still open at youngscotawards.com and will close on 13 February 2022.

The results are set to be announced on 27 April 2022 by BBC Radio 1 DJ Gemma Cairney at a star-studded red-carpet awards ceremony hosted at Edinburgh’s International Conference Centre.

The winners will join a prestigious roll call of previous recipients including RuPaul’s Drag Race champion Lawrence Chaney and social media star Jamie Genevieve. Charitable duo Jack Mullen and Alfie King were crowned 2021’s ‘Young Scots of the Year’ for their work raising donations and keeping community spirit alive during the pandemic.

Kirsten Urquhart, Chief Executive (Interim) at Young Scot, said: “Since the launch of the Sunday Mail Young Scot Awards in 2006, we’ve been blown away by the inspirational achievements of young people from across Scotland.

“It’s an honour to be able to celebrate their achievements, so if you know someone who’s gone above and beyond to help others – we want to hear about them! Please make your nomination today.” 

Awards host Gemma Cairney said: ‘I’m over the moon to have been chosen to host the Sunday Mail Young Scot Awards again this year!

“There’s still time for people across Edinburgh to celebrate the young people who have made a real difference to their communities so make sure you get your nominations in. I can’t wait to meet your local young heroes.”

The categories for 2022 include:

·       The Arts

·       Community – Sponsored by the Scottish Government

·       Enhancing Education – sponsored by Skills Development Scotland

·       Enterprise

·       Entertainment

·       Environment – sponsored by First Bus

·       Equality and Diversity – sponsored by Arnold Clark

·       Health and Wellbeing

·       Sport – sponsored by sportscotland

·       Unsung Hero – sponsored by Solace Scotland

·       Volunteering

·       Young Hero

To nominate a young person please visit: youngscotawards.com

Two young people involved in NSPCC campaigns shortlisted as finalists in Young Scot Awards

Fatima Ishaq, 16, from Dundee, and Rachel Talbot, 14, from Angus, are two of the young people selected as finalists for this year’s Young Scot Awards for their involvement in campaigns including ‘Young Women Know’, addressing peer sexual abuse, and ‘Think b4 You Type’ an anti-bullying toolkit for schools.

Since its launch in 2006, the Sunday Mail Young Scot Awards have been Scotland’s only national awards evening for the young people of Scotland. They have celebrated the inspirational contributions and achievements of thousands of young Scots who have made a real difference to communities across Scotland.

Fatima, who attends Morgan Academy, is a member of the Young Women’s Advisory Group, who are developing the Young Women Know: Dundee campaign. It launched last year, and is a joint project between NSPCC Scotland, YWCA Scotland – the Young Women’s Movement, and Dundee City Council.

The group are creating tailored resources to address peer sexual abuse and help ensure that every young woman and girl in Dundee knows what a healthy relationship looks like and where to go if they need advice or support.

Fatima, finalist in the Young Scot Awards volunteering category, said: “When I found out I was a finalist in the awards I was a bit shocked, but in a good way. I knew I had been nominated, but I wasn’t expecting to make it to the final.

“The Young Women Know campaign is so important because it will teach young people about healthy relationships, what they look like and how to spot red flags. It’s important for girls to know they can speak up and access support if they are in a toxic relationship. We’re still working on the materials and toolkit, but hopefully they will be ready to go out early this summer.

“I enjoy volunteering and there’s been lots of opportunities through school. I’m part of a mental health group and we do work in our school around young people’s mental and emotional health.

“I’m a chairperson on our school’s charity fundraising group, Interact, and we raise funds for various projects such as the shoebox appeal where we sent around 40 boxes to young people in countries in Eastern Europe filled with presents, clothing and sanitary products. And at Christmas we raised money towards a defibrillator to be fitted outside our school.

“I think it’s so important that young people’s voices are heard. At the end of the day, we’re the next generation and we should all have a say on our future and the world we want to create.”

Rachel has been involved since the early stages of an anti-bullying campaign, Think b4 You Type, alongside NSPCC Scotland, RespectMe and Angus Council.

The toolkit was initially launched just in Angus, but now the materials have been made available to secondary schools across Scotland.

Rachel, finalist in the enhancing education category, said: “I was really happy when I found out I was a finalist in the Young Scot Awards, and it’s great to think I could be receiving an award for the work I’ve been doing over the last while.”

Rachel also recently became a member of the NSPCC’s Young People’s Board for Change, which was launched last month to give young people the chance to shape and influence the work of the children’s charity.

Rachel added: “I’m really passionate about the anti-bullying campaign, and I’d love to see a drop in cyber bullying around the country. It’s hard enough being bullied in person in school, but there’s also the problem of being bullied online, and it can feel like there’s no escape sometimes

“I feel like young people have a lot to say, and if people listen to us then a lot of things could be changed for the better.”

Carla Malseed, local campaigns manager for NSPCC Scotland, said: “Both Fatima and Rachel are amazing young women who are certainly going places and deserve their nominations in the Young Scot Awards.

“Working with them both is a delight, and their commitment to their respective causes really shines through when they passionately speak about what is important to them.

“It is crucial that children and young people are at the heart of what we do here at NSPCC Scotland. The last year has been so hard on all of us, and the younger generation should not be defined by the pandemic. There is so much that can be learned from their experiences and our new Young People’s Board for Change, which Rachel is on, will provide us with great opportunities for us to learn and have young people shape our work.”

The Sunday Mail Young Scot Awards will take place on 22 April.

Edinburgh’s Peter, Lucy and Keiran are Young Scot finalists

Three young people from Edinburgh have been announced as finalists in this year’s Sunday Mail Young Scot Awards in recognition of their incredible achievements. 

All three impressed an esteemed panel of judges with their outstanding contributions to their communities.

Peter Sawkins, winner of last year’s Great British Bake Off, is a finalist in the Entertainment category.

The Edinburgh University student became the first Scot and the youngest ever winner of the popular TV show when he took home the crown last year. He is passionate about Scottish produce and enjoys taking inspiration from locally sourced ingredients when designing his bakes.

Despite his newfound fame, Peter, who grew up watching the show, is committed to finishing his accounting degree and is appreciating having time to bake for friends and family.

Lucy Challoner, 22, is a finalist in the Young Hero category, which celebrates young people who have shown amazing courage, battled the odds or showed incredible perseverance in the face of adversity.

When Covid restrictions prevented Lucy from visiting her mum in her care home, she made the brave decision to move her home where Lucy took on the role of her mum’s fulltime carer.  

The social work student, who acts as her brother’s kinship carer, has also been campaigning for face-to-face visits with her 98-year-old gran in her care home – recognising the negative impacts visitation restrictions were having on her mental wellbeing.

Lucy’s campaign was eventually successful, and her tireless efforts have given a voice to all care home residents and their relatives.

Kieran Miller, 17, is a finalist in the Enhancing Education category, which awards young people who are determined to make a positive difference in improving education for others.

A passionate advocate for mental health support, Kieran assisted in the delivery of his school’s first Boys Mental Health Day. He played a pivotal role in the day, discussing his personal experiences with younger students and encouraging pupils to talk openly about their own challenges.

The talented footballer has overcome adversity in his own life and was recently voted head boy of his school.

The Sunday Mail Young Scot Awards aim to recognise and inspire the nation’s young people. This year’s winners will be announced during a live online ceremony on 22 April – marking the Award’s fifteenth year of championing and celebrating the achievements of young people from all communities across Scotland.

The finalists join a prestigious roll call of previous recipients including Sir Andy Murray, Olympian Laura Muir, and top vlogger Jamie Genevieve. Recent winners include actor Ncuti Gatwa from Netflix’s Sex Education and the team behind Fridays For Future Scotland.

Louise Macdonald OBE, Chief Executive of Young Scot, said: “Peter, Lucy and Kieran’s inspiring achievements show how important young people are to Scotland and their incredible contribution to communities in Edinburgh.

“A huge congratulations to all of the 2021 finalists – we can’t wait to celebrate their achievements at the Awards ceremony!”

SCVO joins search for the missing million

polling stationThe Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) has joined forces with the STUC and the Daily Record for the Mission Million campaign to encourage the million people in Scotland currently unregistered to start using their vote.

John Downie, SCVO’s Director of Public Affairs, said: “It’s appalling to think that more than a million eligible people in Scotland aren’t registered to vote or won’t bother to use their vote, with the referendum just weeks away.

“We know that the top 20% of income earners are the most likely to vote, and as many as half of people in the bottom 20% don’t vote. This means it’s the poor, least educated and most vulnerable people who aren’t having their say. These are the people whose lives are most directly affected by political decisions about welfare, health and social care. If they don’t vote, it’s easier for politicians to ignore their needs.

“Politics is becoming all about raising funds and getting elected, no matter how few people actually support our politicians. But the referendum and other decisions about the economy, health and social care are far too important to be left to the politicians.

“Shockingly little is being done to convince people to use their vote but without enough voters we don’t have a healthy democracy. Charities can help but really it’s time for our politicians to do their bit to convince people that voting matters and to earn people’s trust.”

Grahame Smith, STUC General Secretary, said: “The independence referendum offers a superb opportunity to reinvigorate politics in Scotland. But it seems that both the tone of the debate and the limited action to promote participation means that far too many people will not have their say in September.

“Both sides of the debate are claiming they will deliver on social justice, so whatever the outcome of the referendum we will need to hold politicians to their promises. It is not too late for one final push to encourage people to register, and to vote on September 18.”

Allan Rennie, Editor in Chief of the Daily Record and Sunday Mail, said: “The decision Scots make in the referendum is one that will resound for generations to come. That is why it is crucial as many people as possible are involved in taking that decision, by getting registered to vote and using their vote on 18 September.

“There is still time get on to the electoral register and have a say – but not that much time.

“That is why we have joined with the SCVO and STUC to campaign for Scotland’s missing million voters to make their voices heard in what is going to be an historic day for Scottish democracy.”

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