Tag: Young Scot

Young Scots to be at the heart of COP26 activities

A new programme of events will put the voices of young people in Scotland at the heart of the climate conversation during COP26.

Young Scot, Keep Scotland Beautiful and YouthLink Scotland will lead on delivering a youth climate programme across the country backed by £450,000 of Scottish Government funding.

Young people will co-design the programme, recruiting local champions from every local authority to help connect with communities to tackle climate change.

Minister for Environment, Biodiversity and Land Reform Mairi McAllan met the North Lanarkshire Youth Climate Ambassadors at Strathclyde Park to discuss the climate issues that are important to them.

Ms McAllan said: “Young people in Scotland are driving the cause of climate action. This programme will give them a platform to make sure their voices are not just heard, but acted upon. 

“Scotland has world leading targets to be net zero by 2045 and we are already more than half way there. With COP26 in Glasgow this year, all of us have a unique opportunity to advance the society and economy-wide transformation demanded by the twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss.

“We’re taking action and putting people at the heart of all we do. Young people have been demanding change for a better future and this programme will empower them to go even further. I look forward to hearing their ideas and engaging with them as we work together to end our contribution to climate change.”

Heather Ashworth, former Climate Action Intern with Keep Scotland Beautiful,  said: “We can work together by talking, sharing our knowledge and our success stories. We need to support each other to learn and understand climate issues and the actions we can take.

“Young voices must be heard, but regardless of age or background, we all need to come together to ensure Scotland becomes a net zero nation.”

The youth programme will run up to and beyond the UN climate conference in November and will include a range of activities to support young people as they engage in the fight against climate change, along with the chance to receive accredited training.

In addition to the programme, Young Scot, Keep Scotland Beautiful and YouthLink Scotland will deliver a COP26 Scottish Youth Summit ahead of COP26, including a Scottish Youth Climate Declaration.

Young people with an interest in climate change can apply to be part of the programme by visiting the Young Scot website.

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!”

Young Scot calls on Edinburgh to celebrate its young people

Young Scot is calling on people in Edinburgh to nominate the most inspirational young people in their lives and communities for the Sunday Mail Young Scot Awards 2021.

Now in its fifteenth year, the Awards recognises outstanding 11-26-year-olds from all backgrounds who are making a difference. The Sunday Mail Young Scot Awards 2021 are the most high-profile awards that highlight the contributions made by young people to all aspects of our communities – from sport and the arts, through to enterprise and volunteering.

Nominations are now open on youngscotawards.com, through until 14 February 2021.

Winners will be announced in April 2021 during a live online ceremony that will be broadcast live on Young Scot’s YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/YoungScotTV

The new Sunday Mail Young Scot Award 2021 winners will 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 Neftlix’s Sex Education, singer-songwriter Be Charlotte and, overall winners, the phenomenal team behind the Scottish Youth Climate Strike.

Louise Macdonald OBE, Chief Executive, Young Scot, said: “The Sunday Mail Young Scot Awards is a way for us to celebrate the achievements of Scotland’s young people who’ve given so much to our communities recently.

“If you know a young person in Edinburgh who impresses you, or someone who’s gone above and beyond to help others, then we want to hear about them. Make your nomination today!” 

Esther Silverton, Young Scot of the Year 2020 winner, on behalf of the Scottish Youth Climate Strikers, said: “It was an honour to win the Sunday Mail Young Scot Award, there are so many people that do so many amazing things and fully deserve to get recognition for what they do.

“I’m hugely grateful and I hope that this shows everyone that you can fight for what you believe in because everyone has the power to help change the world.”

The 2021 awards will be made possible thanks to the generous support of its sponsors, with Skills Development Scotland returning as the sponsor of the Enhancing Education Award and Solace Scotland backing the Unsung Hero category once again.

sportscotland is also set to return as the sponsor of the Sport Award while the British Council Scotland has been announced as sponsor of the new International Award, marking its first year as an official partner.

To nominate a young person or to find out more about the awards, please visit: youngscotawards.com

First ever First Minister’s Question Time for children and young people announced

In a landmark participation project, children and young people will have the opportunity to scrutinise the First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, as First Minister’s Question Time is taken out of Holyrood and across Scotland. Continue reading First ever First Minister’s Question Time for children and young people announced

Young people take on mental health

Commission to research services for young people

A team of young people are aiming to improve mental health services by leading a study, commissioned by the Scottish Government, drawing on their own experiences. The 22 members of the Youth Commission on Mental Health Services begin work this week to reshape the support available, in a partnership between the Scottish Government, Young Scot and the Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH). Continue reading Young people take on mental health

Voting opens for city youth work projects

Young people in Edinburgh are being asked to decide how £160,000 of City of Edinburgh Council funding should be spent on youth work projects.

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A total of 55 projects now face a public vote in Choose Youth Work – the latest participatory budgeting project in the Capital. Voters can cast their vote online with a Young Scot card or at events being held in schools and other community venues.

The Communities and Families Youth Work Grant Programme allowed groups to apply for grants of up to £10,000 each, to be spent on open-access, universal youth work that will benefit young people in Edinburgh. The youth work can be locally-based or city-wide.

Submitted applications were assessed by a team of young people and Council officers, and those that met the required criteria are now being voted on by young people.

Voting

Young people aged 11-25 years who live in Edinburgh have two votes: one for projects taking place across the city, and another for projects in their local area.  Young people will be able to use their Young Scot number to vote. Temporary registration numbers can also be provided, and there will be paper ballots at locality events.

Voting opened on Monday and will close at 5pm next Friday – 16 March 

During this time, voting will be available online at: https://young.scot/edinburgh-pb/ and in selected community and education centres in Edinburgh.

 

 

Young people to take the lead in mental health study

Young people will lead an in-depth, 15-month study into child and adolescent mental health services to recommend improvements to Ministers. Mental Health Minister Maureen Watt has announced £95,000 to establish the Youth Commission on Mental Health Services – a partnership between the Scottish Government, Young Scot and the Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH). Continue reading Young people to take the lead in mental health study