Hundreds of young people across Edinburgh united at the Corn Exchange last month for Igniting Change – an event placing young voices at the heart of shaping Scotland’s approach to fireworks safety.
Hosted by Fearless, Crimestoppers’ youth service, in partnership with Police Scotland and supported by key organisations, the initiative gave pupils a unique opportunity to share their views directly, deepen their understanding of fireworks risks, and help create resources for their peers in the run-up to the fireworks season.
Fearless Digital Media Officer Natalia Ainsworth chats with some event attendees
The insights, experiences, and creative ideas gathered on the day will form the foundation of a new Fearless social media campaign, launched on 27th October across Snapchat, TikTok, and Instagram, reaching hundreds of thousands of young people across Scotland in the run-up to Bonfire Night.
From fire safety and animal welfare to learning about the medical realities of fireworks injuries with the Scottish Ambulance Service and Medics Against Violence, some serious issues were tackled – but the young people also helped create a campaign soundtrack alongside a professional DJ, shared ideas on a digital graffiti wall, and engaged in a live Q&A panel with officials and experts.
We’re looking forward to the campaign delivering engaging, relatable content designed byyoung people, foryoung people, encouraging safer choices and stronger communities during fireworks season.
Young people who have been leading a campaign to remove shame from conversations about relationships and online safety have celebrated their achievements with an event at Clydebank Town Hall.
The Shameless Youths campaign, involving 17 young people supported by NSPCC Scotland, in partnership with West Dunbartonshire Youth Council and West Dunbartonshire Council, launched last November.
It was set up to support parents and carers, professionals and young people to have realistic, judgement free and informed conversations about healthy relationships, on and offline.
During the past six months the group of young people from West Dunbartonshire Youth Council have spread their message of healthy relationships, including what consent online looks like, through their web pages, video content, social media, posters and leaflets.
They have reached at least 470 professionals, 104 parents and carers, 365 young people, and had 2,334 views of their video.
The group, who named their campaign ‘Shameless Youths’, also worked with Glasgow artist Maya Rose Edwards to help create sculptures and other artworks that were displayed at Clydebank Town Hall earlier this year.
At the event, on June 26, Shameless Youths took to the stage to explain their goals and motivation for getting involved and what they have enjoyed most and gained from the experience.
Ilse Sanchez Posso, Lead Officer with Violence Against Women and Girls, and West Dunbartonshire Provost, Karen Murray Conaghan, also spoke about why the campaign matters to West Dunbartonshire.
Euan MacLaren, NSPCC Campaigns Officer in Scotland, said: “The young people of Shameless Youths have been amazing to work with. They have engaged with a challenging topic head-on with courage, determination and a passion for change.
“They have inspired parents, carers and professionals across West Dunbartonshire and beyond to have positive, supportive conversations with the young people in their lives, and helped young people understand what healthy relationships look like.
“It’s been an honour to work with the West Dunbartonshire Youth Council. I can’t wait to see what’s next for them.”
Rhianna (16), a member of the Shameless Youths group, said: “There’s been lots of fun moments working on this campaign, including making the video. It has really strengthened our bonds.
“Working with Maya was also incredible; they were brilliant at engaging us and allowing our voices to be heard. It’s been lovely to see how many people we’ve reached with the campaign; it’s really inspiring.”
Councillor Clare Steel, Convener of Educational Services, said: “While many children are confident online, technology is constantly evolving, and it is important for groups like this to raise awareness to the benefit and the dangers of being online.
“Shameless Youths is sending a powerful reminder of the ongoing challenges to create an online world where children and young people feel safe, included and empowered and I thank them for raising awareness of this important subject.”
West Dunbartonshire Provost, Karen Murray Conaghan, said: “Keeping young people safe online is essential and the Shameless Youths should be very proud of everything they’ve achieved to advocate for others.
“It’s brilliant that they have been willing to step up and give voice to what’s important to them.
“They have done a great job of working together collaboratively to spread some very important messages including letting other young people know that if things do go wrong help is available.”
Resources for parents, carers, professionals and young people will continue to be available on the Shameless Youths website. The campaign also has plans to reach more young people and adults over the next year.
If you are worried about the welfare of ayoung person, contact the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000 or email: help@nspcc.org.uk.
Young people looking for support on any of the issues mentioned, can contact Childline on 0800 1111 or visit childline.org.uk. Childline is available to all young people until their 19th birthday.
The Shameless Youths campaign was led by a group of 17 young people aged 15 to 20. They named it ‘Shameless Youths’ because they want to be supported, not shamed or judged for their choices, even when something went wrong or mistakes happened.
Young musicians (aged 9-12) from Edinburgh and Cork are breaking new grounds with a unique hybrid international hip-hop collaboration, blending Irish and Scottish Gaelic in a creative celebration of language, culture, and connection.
The project, led by Cork’s Kabin Crew (the collective behind the Grammy Award longlisted viral hit ‘The Spark’) and Tinderbox Collective, brings together nine young artists from Bun-sgoil Taobh na Pàirce (Parkside Primary School), a Gaelic-medium primary school in Edinburgh and five experienced young performers from the Kabin Studio’s ‘Kabin Crew’ project in Cork, who have been co-writing a rap song exploring their shared heritage.
Funded by the Foras na Gaeilge – Colmcille Fund, and supported by Barr na gCnoc, University College Cork, the initiative has seen the group connect through eight online writing sessions, where they have shared stories, built friendships, and co-written a rap track that explores the theme “Edinburgh vs Cork.”
During the online sessions, the young artists shared stories about their hometowns, swapped slang, and exchanged other phrases in Irish and Scots Gaelic. The writing process became a cultural exchange as much as a musical one.
Each group writes in their own language, yet the similarities between Irish and Scots Gaelic have sparked a lot of interest, fun and humour, which really highlights the deep linguistic and cultural ties between Scotland and Ireland. The result is a vibrant, joyful track that reflects their creativity, curiosity, and cultural pride.
Jed Milroy, General Manager at Tinderbox Collective, said: “Tinderbox Collective are so excited to be collaborating with The Kabin Studio on this unique creative project.
“Their ambitious approach to making youth music both accessible as well as of the highest quality is truly inspiring for us all and to be part of them using that platform to promote Gaelic and Irish is a real honour. Long may it continue!”
From grass-roots youth work to award-winning productions, Tinderbox aims to ignite a spark in people – one which fills them with confidence, imagination, and sense of possibility, and helps them achieve things they never thought possible.
Their work uses music and the arts to bring people together and strengthen communities, providing exciting opportunities to those who need them most, and supporting young people to build their confidence, skills, self-esteem, and professional experience.
Máire Dineen, Programme Manager at Kabin Crew, said: “The Kabin Studio is delighted to be part of this project and looks forward to building new relationships with our Scottish friends through music and language.”
The collaboration will culminate in a professional recording and music video. Five of the Edinburgh participants will travel to Cork on 27th June to record the track at the Kabin Studio, while five members of Kabin Crew will later visit Edinburgh to film the video alongside their new collaborators.
The Kabin Studio, based in Knocknaheeny, Cork, is a dynamic youth music and creative hub known for empowering young people through songwriting, rap, and performance. It provides a safe and inspiring space for young artists to express themselves, collaborate, and develop their talents.
Talking about this project, Heidi from Kabin Crew, said: “I feel it’s an amazing way for kids in the North Side to learn Irish and Gaelic.
“I can’t wait to meet my new friends in Edinburgh, they were really nice over Zoom, super sweet and I can’t wait to meet them”
Archie, aged 10, from Edinburgh said – “It’s been working really well getting to write a song in Gaelic and Irish and meeting the Kabin Studio guys.
“It’s really interesting to meet Irish Gaelic rappers. I hope is that if we keep doing this we could get as famous as the Kabin Crew!”
By writing and performing in Scottish Gaelic and Irish Gaelic, these young artists are helping to bring these rich, historically underrepresented languages to audiences who wouldn’t usually engage with them and showing them that Gaelic languages are not only alive but thriving in the voices of the next generation.
The Tinderbox and Kabin Crew collaboration will be released later this year.
Are you into organising events and arts projects? Want to have your say on what’s happening in North Edinburgh? Or maybe you just want to be part of something fun and creative?
Together with Imaginate UK, North Edinburgh Arts are launching a new Youth Arts Collective for ages 11-13, and you’re invited to our free taster sessions!
Join us on Thursday evenings, 3 and 10 October at West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre to try out fun activities, play games, and chat about the group.
For the last five Friday afternoons, the Craigroyston Community High School pupils below have been working with the Granton Youth Project and the City Art Centre to create artwork for an exhibition at the City Art Centre (Market Street) on Friday 17th February:
Lamiya Hossain
Faiza Manha
Leona May
Laura Mendoza
Biva Rahman
Yasmin Theisen De Figueiredo
Firdaws Yaich El Yahyaoui
If you are up town and able to, then please pop into the gallery between 2 – 4pm to meet the artists and see their fantastic artwork on display!
A group of young adults from Tower Hamlets are set to represent East London’s young people in the opening flag-waving event of the Platinum Jubilee Youth Spectacular at St Ninians, taking place near Kelty in Fife.
TV presenter, magician and comedian, Stephen Mulhern, will host the event, which aims to “inspire youth” .
The Youth Spectacular, which is part of Her Majesty the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations, is taking place on Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th June. The amazing young talent who are participating will be performing in a newly constructed arena on the site of the former opencast mine at St Ninians.
The group from London, involving 11 young adults, aged 16-20, and 5 youth workers are from the Spotlight Youth Centre, a creative arts youth service based in London’s Tower Hamlets.
Around 4,000 young people aged 11-19 are engaged each year and come to the youth centre to make friends and for advice, guidance and support. Spotlight also runs a number of creative programmes including photography, music, fashion and visual arts, as well as an active programme including fitness and nutrition, sport and exercise.
It also has an in-house young-person only GP service, HealthSpot.
The group are part of the centre’s inspirational programme, focusing on youth leadership and volunteering. They are also members of Poplar HARCA’a Youth Youth Empowerment Board, which feeds into the governance of the award-winning housing association in East London.
While in Scotland the group will participate in outdoor activities at Willowgate Activity Centre in Perthshire, take part in a mini-Highland Games and visit some Edinburgh attractions, including Edinburgh Castle.
· The Imps Motorcycle Display Team, the world’s foremost youth display team
· Katie Robertson, the award-winning ‘Wheeled Piper’
· Massed pipes and drums from Scottish schools
· Massed military bands
· The musical skills of the massed army cadet force brass bands
· Highland dancing displays and other dancers
· The world-famous Red Hot Chilli Pipers
Harry Forshaw, Youth Volunteering Coordinator for Spotlight, said: “As a group representing young people from the east end of London we are incredibly excited and proud to be participating in this truly inspiring event.
“Spotlight provides facilities that all young people can access on a non-exclusive basis and our youth-led centre demonstrates what young people can achieve when they are given the chance to have their voices heard.
“We are honoured to be participating in the opening event, and what we have achieved will hopefully serve to inspire other young people.”
Irene Bisset, Chair of National Pride UK, said: “We’re delighted that this group of fantastic young adults from Spotlight are attending and participating in our event.
“With our aim being to showcase the tremendous talents of young people, inspiring both this and future generations, we are honoured that they have taken the time to come and participate.
“We look forward to welcoming them to St Ninians for a great weekend of fun and can hopefully leave them with fond memories of their time in Scotland.”
A stunning event to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and hosted by TV presenter and comedian, Stephen Mulhern, will be held in June on a former opencast coal mine in Fife.
Launched today (11th April) and taking place on Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th June at St Ninians, near the village of Kelty, the Platinum Jubilee Youth Spectacular will be held in a newly constructed arena located on the former mine site.
Being undertaken by Community Interest Company, National Pride UK, which is looking to deliver an Eco-Therapy Wellness and Leisure Park on the site, it has been organised by the former Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo impresario, Mel Jameson.
The extravaganza will showcase the extraordinary talents of our young people, with performers including:
· The Imps Motorcycle Display Team, the world’s foremost youth motorcycle display team
· The world-famous Red Hot Chili Pipers
· Massed pipes and drums from Scottish schools
· Massed military bands
· The musical skills of the massed army cadet force brass bands
· Highland dancing displays and other dancers
The event will also feature scouts, guides, boys brigade and police cadets.
Irene Bissett, Chair of National Pride UK, said: “We are delighted to be hosting this spectacular event to celebrate Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee.
“It brings together an incredible range of some of Scotland’s top performers in the stunning setting of St Ninians, showcasing the amazing skills of our young people.
“Those attending this extravaganza are in for a real treat.”
Prices range from £6 for children (up to the age of 16) and OAPs (over 65) and £12 for adults.
Young people will be the conscience of COP and world leaders must act on their demand for urgent action to tackle climate change, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is expected to say today when she launches the 16th UN Climate Change Conference of Youth.
Addressing 400 delegates from 120 countries, Ms Sturgeon is set to praise children and young people’s activism across the globe which had “spurred on, challenged, and inspired governments around the world”.
The First Minister will say: “It is important that young people are represented at this Summit. It is only right that you have a say in the decisions which affect you most – that’s a simple matter of fairness – but your presence also gives the Summit its very best chance of success.
“Your activism in recent years has spurred on, challenged, and inspired governments around the world. I can honestly say that you are the reason why, in 2019, Scotland became one of the first countries to declare a climate emergency.
“And your efforts are continuing to put this issue front and centre – in your own communities, in your home countries, and on the international stage.
“The idealism, creativity and sense of perspective that young people bring to this issue is a huge asset and I think it will help to ensure a successful outcome to COP. You should not have had to become the conscience of decision-makers around the world, but we will reach a better outcome if you are.
“We are determined that your voices will be heard.”
Chief Inspector Murray Tait, Local Area Commander for North East Edinburgh, said: “Our officers responded to a number of incidents involving youths in the Portobello area over the course of the weekend, including violence and antisocial behaviour.
“As a result of these reports, extensive enquiries have been undertaken and we can confirm that 6 arrests have been made to date. Further enquiries remain ongoing.
“It was unfortunate to see a small minority ruin the good weather for the rest of the community with their actions which have no place in Portobello. I want to make it absolutely clear that those who attend with the intention of causing violence and disorder are not welcome.
“Portobello Beach is a fantastic area, with great local businesses and is enjoyed by many families and young children who come to visit the area.
“I would like to reassure the public that there will be a significant police presence in the area, so we can robustly deal with anyone causing issues in the coming days. If you have any concerns about criminality, please speak to officers, call 101, or call 999 in an emergency.”
Fearless Digital Media Officer Natalia Ainsworth chats with some event attendees
Calling local young people (ages 11 -13)
Thursday 3 October, 5:30pm – 7pm
Register your FREE place at 
