All our Youth Clubs are still running in February Break with the exception of The Pitt on Tuesday 17th BUT we made some extra plans so you (and us, honestly) can get rid of those Winter Blues!
Sign-up for these in any of our youth clubs between now and 12th February or by email to Ryan@grantonyouth.com if you can’t make it til then!
As always our trips are free, and transport to and from is provided! Confirmation of spaces will be sent on Friday 13th February!
Please be aware though newcomers are welcome, priority is given to those who do regularly attend our youth clubs!
ASH Scotland is urging high school teachers and youth workers in Edinburgh to use the health charity’s updated resource packs to inspire young people to make confident, informed decisions to protect their long-term health by not taking up smoking or vaping.
The Tobacco-free School and Youth packs, which each feature 30 engaging activities that can be used in lessons and group sessions, are being published by the health charity as the major public health issues of youth smoking and vaping are causing ongoing concern for teachers, parents and people working with children.
The packs provide facts and statistics covering a range of topics such as ‘Smoking and mental health’, ‘Smoking, vaping and peer pressure’, ‘Being confidently nicotine-free’ and features new exercises on nicotine pouches to support the delivery of personal and social education classes or for youth group activities across various subjects.
Sheila Duffy, Chief Executive for ASH Scotland, said: “As concerned teachers and youth workers across Scotland regularly contact us for information about tobacco and nicotine products such as vapes and pouches, we have produced updated resource packs with robust, evidence-based content to engage and empower young people in Edinburgh to make informed decisions about protecting their health and wellbeing.
“Our Tobacco-free School and Youth packs are especially designed to be effective learning aids to facilitate classwork and activities to help equip children to increase their knowledge about the health risks associated with smoking, vaping and using nicotine pouches.”
ASH Scotland is encouraging youth workers in Edinburgh to access the charity’s new resources on vaping illicit substances to build their knowledge and confidence in starting conversations to help educate young people to protect their long-term health.
The charity’s ‘Understanding illicit substance vaping’ briefing features insights from young people across Scotland which were shared with the charity’s Youth Conservations Hub.
The resource is published at a time when the emerging major public health issue of youth vaping and the availability of illicit substances in e-cigarettes is causing immense concern for people working with children.
The briefing provides up-to-date facts covering a range of important topics including how younger people are accessing vapes. and the risks and side effects associated with vaping illicit substances such as Spice (man-made drugs designed to mimic the effects of cannabis) and THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol which is the main psychoactive compound in cannabis).
Sheila Duffy, Chief Executive for ASH Scotland, said: “With concerned youth workers across Scotland regularly contacting us for advice about vaping cannabis, THC and Spice, it is vital that those working with young people in Edinburgh can access robust, evidence-based information to engage and empower youngsters to make informed decisions about their health and wellbeing.
“Our new ‘Understanding illicit substance vaping’ briefing can enable youth workers to promote a vape-free culture and encourage the younger generation in Edinburgh to understand the risks associated with vaping illicit substances and make positive choices to protect their physical and mental health.”
This October break we have some exciting activities planned for our groups. Alongside our usual groups we are hosting a family breakfast on the Friday where all are welcome to attend for free!
(PLEASE NOTE: Our Breakfast clubs and our Friday P7-S4 groups will not run this week)
All of our clubs are BACK and ready to welcome our awesome young people!!
Please note: There are a few changes to where some groups are running from – Don Bosco will be at the PENNYWELL HUB building THIS WEEK (Wednesday 20th August)!
If there are any questions regarding days/times/venues please contact the team on the MYDG Mobile Number – 07960955667
ASH Scotland is urging youth groups in Edinburgh to join the charity’s World No Tobacco Day campaign raising public awareness about the tactics of the tobacco and nicotine industries in trying to attract and retain young people as consumers of their health harming products.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has chosen ‘Unmasking the Appeal: Exposing Industry Tactics on Tobacco and Nicotine Products’ as the theme for this year’s campaign, which aims to reveal the strategies deployed by the tobacco and nicotine industries to make addictive products attractive to young people.
ASH Scotland is working to amplify the voices of youth groups and youngsters who want to speak out to stop industry marketing tactics such as using sweet and fruit flavours, sleek designs, attractive packaging and digital media campaigns to glamorise tobacco and nicotine products such as e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches.
Sheila Duffy, Chief Executive of ASH Scotland, said: “In supporting WHO’s World No Tobacco Day 2025 campaign in Scotland, we are keen to hear from children’s and youth groups in Edinburgh who want to call out industry tactics that are trying to create a new wave of addiction among the next generation.
“We encourage young people to use their voices collectively by making short videos for sharing on their youth group’s social media channels to express how they feel about being targeted by the tobacco and nicotine industries and demand action to stop the targeted marketing of addictive, health harming products at them and their friends.
“It is vital that the views of young people in Edinburgh about disreputable industry tactics geared towards maintaining substantial profits at the cost of the next generation’s health are heard loud and clear on World No Tobacco Day.”
For information about ASH Scotland’s campaign ahead of World No Tobacco Day on Saturday 31 May, visit www.ashscotland.org.uk/WNTD.
Youth clubs interested in joining the charity’s campaign can email:
From Next Week we will be running our Easter Programme, please read carefully as some groups and times are different from their usual!
To attend, all children and young people must have a completed consent form – if you have done this from September 2024 you will be covered.
Parents/Guardians will be contacted by staff to confirm spaces on trips, please do not send your child to a trip if you have not been spoken to as they will be unable to attend.
PY Lunches will be on Mon-Fri during the two week holiday, NOT including Friday 18th and Monday 21st – These lunches are for children and young people only.
If you are aged 12 – 25 and are looking for support then get in touch with ourselves or find the contact information for your area in the poster attached.