Tag: Young people

Call for increased investment in mental health as child referrals increase by more than 25%

The Scottish Children’s Services Coalition (SCSC), an alliance of leading providers of children’s services, has called for greatly increased investment in mental health services as the impacts of the  Covid-19 pandemic on the young become clearer.

The call comes as new figures published by Public Health Scotland today (15th March 2022), indicate that at the end of December 2021, 10,021 children and young people had been referred for treatment from specialist child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS).  

This includes issues such as anxiety and depression and represents a staggering 27.1 per cent increase from the previous quarter (July to September 2021) when the figure was 7,882.

With already under-resourced and overstretched services facing overwhelming pressure due to increased demand, the SCSC has raised concerns over a potential “lost generation” of vulnerable children and young people whose mental health is being impacted by Covid-19. 

Even prior to the pandemic cases of poor mental health were at unprecedented levels and in crisis, and there are a growing number of vulnerable children who cannot access adequate support. The pandemic has exacerbated this, leading to unprecedented demand and backlogs, with services struggling to keep up.

In total, 4, 544 children and young people started treatment at CAMHS over the period October to December 2021. This is an increase of 19.8 per cent from the previous quarter (3,792) and only 70.3 per cent were seen within the Scottish Government’s waiting time target for the NHS of 18 weeks from referral to treatment (met by at least 90 per cent of patients).

This is a fall from the previous quarter when the figure was 78.6 per cent. Eight out of 14 health boards failed to meet this target.

A total of 1,570 children and young people had been waiting over a year for treatment at the end of December 2021.

In addition to increased investment in specialist CAMHS, the SCSC has called for greater workforce planning and a renewed focus on expanded prevention and early intervention services, reducing the need for referral to costly specialist mental health services.

It has also called for greater partnership working between the public, private and third sectors as well as greater awareness of the services on offer, especially those at a community level.

A spokesperson for the SCSC commented: “For some time now, we have raised concerns over a potential lost generation of vulnerable children and young people, whose mental health is being impacted even further by the Covid-19 pandemic. 

“Too many of our young people are waiting too long for the treatment they need and it is more important than ever that children can access the support required, irrespective of where they live.

“While we welcome the attention that the Scottish Government has given to date on this vital issue, a lack of resources and lack of staff mean it’s becoming an impossible situation to manage. There must be a radical transformation of our mental health services, investing in specialist services and with a focus on preventing such problems arising in the first place and intervening early.

“This is a crisis we can overcome, but as the country comes to terms with the biggest hit to its mental health in generations, it will require a similar energy and commitment to that demonstrated for Covid-19 if we are to achieve this and prevent many young people giving up on their futures.”

Waiting times (with adjustments) for people who started their treatment from October to December 2021, by NHS Board of treatment:

Health boardTotal number seen% seen within 18 weeks
NHS Scotland4,54470.3
NHS Ayrshire & Arran35093.7
NHS Borders7067.1
NHS Dumfries & Galloway13347.4
NHS Fife36371.9
NHS Forth Valley11157.7
NHS Grampian37295.2
NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde Valley1,56157.7
NHS Highland23275.0
NHS Lanarkshire23969.5
NHS Lothian72665.2
NHS Tayside32993.0
NHS Island Boards58100.0

Calling teens with big dreams: the Bright Future Prize

The search is on for the next generation of inspiring community leaders as Ardonagh Community Trust launches its £40,000 Bright Future Prize 

Teens with big dreams have been asked to put forward their ideas for the Bright Future Prize to make a difference to the communities they care about.  

The prize, which is now in its second year, is hosted by Ardonagh Community Trust (ACT), the registered charity of one of the world’s leading insurance brokers, The Ardonagh Group. 

Winners of this year’s four prize categories will each receive a share of the £40,000 fund, alongside opportunities for mentoring, to help turn their dreams into reality.     

ACT Trustee and former British and Ireland Lions Captain Rory Best, described his delight at the prize’s launch and asked young people to step forward to help bring about the change they want to see in the world. He said: “I’m excited that applications for the Bright Future Prize 2022 are now officially open.  

“We want to hear from 13–19-year-olds about the incredible projects and causes they’re passionate about, so that we can help support their communities around the world.  

“I’m incredibly proud to be an ACT trustee and supporter of the Bright Future Prize and I can’t wait to read about young people’s big ideas to help shape a brighter future.” 

Last year, four talented individuals and groups were given the chance to drive positive change in their communities. Their projects ranged from promoting anti-bullying messages and supporting teenagers to pursue musical ambitions, to encouraging young people living in areas of deprivation to apply to top universities.   

The winners of the Bright Future Prize 2021, a team of three teenagers from Manchester, were awarded the prize for their innovative project, developed as part of a project with Manchester’s Contact Theatre, to help young people to protect their mental health.

Their proposed computer game – Dawn to the Light – aims to support young people to find positive ways to learn about mental health.   

The Dawn to the Light Team encouraged young people to enter this year’s prize saying that the experience had helped them to feel empowered to help others.  

The team said: “The prize fund allowed our idea to go from an idea on a page to a soon-to-come project that will be a fully-fledged videogame.  

“It allowed us to explore our own individuals’ talents and helped us showcase them in the work we put together.  

“To anyone applying to the fund, you should approach the application with the passion that you already possess for the project.  You should never think an idea isn’t good enough or important enough and keep your mind optimistic.” 

This year, there are four prize categories, which are each linked to a different way young people can help improve their community of choice.   

The prize categories are:   

  • Your community – Making a difference to the people around you   
  • Your planet – Protecting the environment and taking a stand against climate change   
  • Your vision – Driving positive change through entrepreneurship or innovation  
  • Your passion – Sharing your love for music, the arts or sport with more people    

The prize is open to young people aged 13-19, who live a region where Ardonagh has a presence, including in the UK, Ireland, Australia, the United States, or South Africa.

To apply, candidates – individually, or as a group – should propose a project or a cause close to their heart, and outline how they will use the funding to help make their community better, brighter, and stronger.

Applications are open between 14 March and Friday 29 April. 

To apply please visit: https://www.ardonaghtrust.org/bright-future-prize 

The Ardonagh Community Trust helps communities become better, brighter and stronger. Since the charity’s launch in 2017, it has raised more than £1.5 million for causes around the world.   

Welcome to Your Vote Day!

New Scots urged to register to vote in May elections

The Electoral Commission is running a Welcome to Your Vote Day, today Thursday 10 March, to raise awareness amongst New Scots about their right to vote ahead of the upcoming council elections.

In 2020 the Scottish Parliament voted to extend the franchise for Scottish Parliament and council elections to include anyone aged 16 or over who is resident in Scotland, regardless of their nationality. This means that the upcoming elections will be the first opportunity for many New Scots to vote in Scottish council elections. 

Anyone who wants to vote in the Scottish council elections on 5 May must be registered by midnight on 18 April.

Andy O’Neill, Head of the Electoral Commission in Scotland said: “Welcome to Your Vote Day aims to raise awareness that New Scots have the right to register to vote and have their say on 5 May.

“We have information to help new voters understand the voting process in various languages on our website at www.electoralcommission.org.uk/voter.

“You can’t have your say in the council elections taking place this May unless you are registered to vote, which you can do online now at www.gov.uk/registertovote.”    

The Electoral Commission is also working with organisations across Scotland to ensure that recently-enfranchised voters have the tools they need to confidently cast their vote on issues that affect their day to day lives.

This includes providing resources which community groups and other organisations can use to raise awareness amongst New Scots they work with and run their own registration events.

Luis, who is a member of JustRight Scotland’s JustCitizens Panel and came to Scotland from Mexico in 2014, said: “This year I am going to vote, after living here for a couple of years. I feel like I belong and I would like to think that I have the power to shape the society I live in.” 

Mira from the Just Citizens Panel, who is originally from Poland, said: “I voted in Scotland for the first time in 2017 at the local council elections and, emotionally speaking, it was quite an emotive and powerful event.

“It felt like, even though I had already lived in Scotland for seven years at that point, it really felt like I was part of the society and like I was taking an active role in what was happening to the city that I live in.”

Organisations and individuals who want to raise awareness about the right to vote for New Scots can access the free resources from the Electoral Commission website at www.electoralcommission.org.uk/democratic-engagement-resources.

Royal Bank reveals the true cost of splurging on fun after examining Scots spending priorities in 2022

  • Research from Royal Bank of Scotland reveals Scots spending priorities in 2022
  • Young people battling desire to splurge post-pandemic with need to budget for the future
  • Soaring energy costs identified as key concern

As the country begins to look at life beyond the pandemic, new research from Royal Bank of Scotland reveals that nearly half (42%) of young people surveyed in Scotland view spending money on fun as more of a priority post-lockdown.

Despite the renewed sense of freedom and recent relaxation of restrictions, young people are struggling with an internal conflict between the desire to enjoy life and pressures to save, with as many as 85% of 18 to 34-year-olds feeling guilty when splashing their hard-earned cash on themselves.

This is further compounded by social situations, where nearly two-thirds (63%) of 18 to 34 year-olds admit to feeling pressured by their friends to spend money – even when they feel they don’t have enough cash to spare.

Contributing to this feeling of guilt, just over half (51%) of those interviewed confessed that they don’t have a monthly budget set aside for having fun, with nearly eight in ten (79%) admitting that they will need to rethink their spending this year in the wake of energy price rises.

Respondents cited the pandemic – and prolonged periods of lockdown – as key motivators for their changing spending patterns. Almost two-thirds (63%) agree they’re happy to splurge if it means the chance to make memories with friends and loved ones, whilst a third (33%) are keen to make up for the experiences they lost during lockdown.

The findings suggest that the desire to spend more money in 2022, combined with a lack of budgeting confidence and the rising cost of living is mixing together to create a financial storm.

Addressing some of the key concerns raised in the survey, Royal Bank of Scotland is launching a new campaign to help young people balance their longing to make up for moments and memories lost to the pandemic, with the need to set realistic and achievable budgeting goals.

Backing the campaign to support young people, social wellbeing analyst and award-winning businesswoman Charlotte Armitage said: “Dealing with anxiety related to your personal finances is one of the most pressing challenges coming out of the pandemic.

“Financial goal setting can be an effective strategy against the struggle.  Momentum is critical and if you have a long-term savings goal, you need to break it down into manageable milestones, give yourself some easy wins and reinforce positive actions.

“After the past few years, it’s certainly okay to have fun and spend your hard earned money on yourself. Taking stock of your finances and getting a clear picture of your spending and saving will allow you to spot those areas where you can make small changes without sacrificing fun, allowing you to create memories and be confident about your financial future.”

Royal Bank is committed to improving the nation’s financial capabilities and will continue to offer every person in Scotland a free, judgement free Financial Health Check. The importance of such services is demonstrated in the research, with over one-fifth (22%) of respondents aged 18-34 citing a lack of knowledge as a reason why they don’t have a financial plan whilst almost one in five (19%) feel they are unable to afford a financial advisor.

Royal Bank is also encouraging customers to make use of new features available through its award-winning app such as the new ‘spending’ and ‘savings’ tabs, which allows customers to easily understand where their money is going and how they’re tracking against their goals.

Commenting on the findings, Malcolm Buchanan, Chair, Scotland Board, Royal Bank of Scotland, said: “It’s vitally important that we continue to listen to young people and understand the everyday challenges they face when it comes to managing their money.

“Whilst everybody’s financial situation is unique, it is through research and dialogue like this that we can design effective solutions and provide the tools to help make dealing with money easier for our customers.

“Royal Bank is committed to providing everyone with the support and skills they need to make responsible financial decisions, which in turn, will help them have fun and make memories.”

Royal Bank continues to make financial management easier and more accessible by providing the following:

·        Financial Health Check – A free 20-minute conversation with a banking advisor who provides guidance to make banking simpler, as well as tips for everyday spending and achieving future goals. This could include setting savings targets, advice on tracking monthly spending and creating budgets. Customers can choose to chat in a branch or over the phone. personal.rbs.co.uk/personal/financial-health-check.html

·        Royal Bank of Scotland app – Customers using Royal Bank of Scotland’s award-winning app are able to easily see where their money is going with the new ‘spending’ tab which will show them how much they’re spending by category each month, helping them stay in control of their money.

·        MoneySense – MoneySense provides parents and teachers with the tools to give young people the confidence to use money responsibly on their own. The programme is the longest-running bank-led financial education programme for young people in the UK. MoneySense is fully digital and downloadable, and can be delivered by teachers in schools.

National Lottery funds Venture Scotland’s Journey programme

Today Leith-based charity, Venture Scotland, is celebrating receiving nearly £100,000 in funding over 3 years from The National Lottery Community Fund, made possible by National Lottery players.

Since 1989, Venture Scotland has used the outdoors as a vehicle to transform the physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing of Young People across the Central Belt of Scotland. Every year, their small team delivers four, progressive outdoor-based personal development programmes, known as the “Journey”, to over 50 Young People who are facing challenges to their mental health.

Venture Scotland utilise Scotland’s natural environments to deliver group-based outdoor activities, such as gorge walking, kayaking and hill climbing, alongside groupwork, 1-to-1 support sessions and remote bothy residentials.

Venture Scotland’s ethos is to use the outdoor experience to help our Young People gain confidence, overcome challenges, and discover their potential – all of which they can channel into their daily lives.

The National Lottery Community Fund has made it possible for their graduate Young People to give back to Venture Scotland and has ensured that Young People are at the heart of our organisation.

Venture Scotland’s innovative Ambassador Programme has embedded four of our graduate Young People at all levels of Venture Scotland:

  • They attend and offer feedback at our Board meetings;
  • Support our fundraising team;
  • Help our Outreach Worker engage with new Young People;
  • Volunteer with our delivery team on activity days;
  • And have helped recruit new staff and trustees.

Most importantly, Venture Scotland’s Ambassadors bring their “lived experience” to motivate and inspire the project’s young people and ensure that their wellbeing is at the heart of everything VS we does.

Jo graduated from Venture Scotland’s Journey Programme in 2019. Before Venture Scotland, Jo was stuck in a cycle of self-destruction and experienced crippling anxiety, eating disorders and isolation.

After completing our Journey Programme, Jo became a Venture Scotland Ambassador; she has this to say about the Programme:

“The Ambassador Programme has given me a purpose and structure in these turbulent times, a chance to connect with people, learn new skills, keep up old ones and a chance to give back to a place and people that changed my life. It has given me hope; something to hold on to.”

The National Lottery Community Fund will allow us to officially launch our Ambassador Programme to a whole new generation of Young People and will ensure that Venture Scotland is the best it can be.

The National Lottery Community Fund, Scotland Chair, Kate Still, said: “National Lottery funding can make amazing things happen in local communities across the country.

“This project delivered by Venture Scotland is a great example of community activity in action, showing just what can be achieved when people come together for a common cause or to help others. National Lottery players can be proud to know that the money they raise is helping to support this vital work and to help communities thrive.” 

Venture Scotland’s CEO, David Brackenridge added: “Our Ambassador programme has put the voices of young people at the heart of our organisation and this has already had a transformational effect.

“So often, our Ambassadors have given us a whole new perspective on the work we do and the decisions we make and this has changed the way we operate, govern ourselves and has shaped our strategy going forward.

“I already can’t imagine them not being an integral part of Venture Scotland. A massive thanks to the National Lottery for funding this programme and for ensuring we can grow and develop it with young people.”

Lifeline: Further £2 million to support outdoor education 

Outdoor education centres facing financial challenges as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic can apply this month to a new £2 million fund.

Available for private sector and third sector centres, the support will help with running costs and enable staff to deliver more outdoor learning for schools.

The funding brings the Scottish Government’s support for the sector during the pandemic to £4.5 million.

Minister for Children & Young People Clare Haughey said: “For many organisations that provide residential outdoor education, the pandemic has caused significant challenges and it’s been a really hard time for them.

“The experiences provided by these centres are vitally important for our children and young people. This additional £2 million will help outdoor education centres through what we hope will be the final phase of this pandemic.

“It will mean more opportunities for children and young people to get the engaging, enriching and exciting outdoor education experiences they deserve.”

Martin Davidson, The Outward Bound Trust, said: “Outdoor Centres warmly welcome the additional emergency funding from the Scottish Government. Whilst technically outdoor residential experiences have been able to resume since August, coronavirus continues to make the return to financial sustainability challenging.

“The funding will help ensure that outdoor centres do not close, and that the transformative experiences they offer remain available to future generations of young people.”

The £2 million in funding is on top an initial £2 million provided in early 2021 and a further £500,000 provided for a range of outdoor learning projects during summer of that year, bringing the Scottish Government’s total additional investment in outdoor learning to £4.5 million.

SYP by-election Northern and Leith

The Scottish Youth Parliament (SYP) represents Scotland’s young people.

Democratically elected members listen to and recognise the issues that are most important to young people, ensuring that their voices are heard by decision-makers.  All young people aged between 14 and 25 years old can stand for election to the SYP. 

Following on from last year’s successful SYP elections in Edinburgh, one seat remains unfilled in Northern and Leith.  SYP rules state that the vacancy should be filled.

Where a seat is vacant, it can be filled through existing youth structures.  

We are therefore asking young people involved in pupil/student councils or other youth structures such as participation groups in youth work agencies if they are interested in becoming a Member of the Scottish Youth Parliament for Northern and Leith.

Interested young people must live, study (i.e. go to school or college) or work in the constituency.

More information on becoming an MSYP is available at https://syp.org.uk/get-involved/have-your-voice-heard/

Any interested young people can contact Andy Welsh (andrew.welsh@ea.edin.sch.uk) if they are interested by Friday 11 February. 

Full training and support is provided.

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

Vaccinations for children with specific medical conditions

Invitations being sent from this week

Children aged five to 11 years old who have specific medical conditions which place them at greater risk from COVID-19 will be invited for their first vaccination from this week onwards.

Parents do not need to book an appointment for them online as they will be contacted directly by Health Boards.

Those five to 11 year olds who are household contacts of people with immune suppression will be invited to receive their vaccination in due course.

Letters will also be sent to young people aged 12-15 who are at particular clinical risk from COVID-19 inviting them for a booster jag, 12 weeks after their last primary dose.

Meanwhile, second doses are now available for all 12 to 15 year olds who had their first dose at least twelve weeks previously. This cohort can book an appointment online at NHS Inform or go to a drop-in centre. Parents and carers are welcome to accompany them..

Any 16 or 17 year old can book a booster online for 12 weeks after their second dose. They can also visit any drop-in centre.

Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “The vaccination programme continues to be a huge success and we are so grateful to all those who have taken up the offer of a vaccination and of course, every single person involved in the delivery of our national programme.

“In this next part of the programme we continue to deliver boosters and take forward the latest advice from the JCVI regarding younger cohorts. They and their parents can find out more about the vaccination that is recommended for each age group at NHS Inform.

“We urge all those who are eligible for any dose to take up the offer to protect them, those around them and of course our NHS at this particularly busy time.”