Going the extra mile for youth
Three outstanding Paisley projects are up for awards
Three Paisley organisations are all up for awards for their outstanding work with young people.
Paisley YMCA, Renfrewshire Youth Services and Who Cares? are among the nominees for Scotland’s National Youth Work Awards.
Paisley YMCA is involved in digital youth work innovation in Scotland.
Youth and Commu n i t y development manager Darran Gillan uses a blend of youth work skills, digital knowledge and partnerships with statutory services to deliver a programme of local activities.
The YMCA in Paisley launched Renfrewshire’s first digital youth business incubator, a dedicated entrepreneurial space for young people to explore getting into the digital workforce or setting up their own start-up.
It opened the area’s first Maker Space so that young people can create, invent and learn using technology.
Darran’s digital youth expertise is in demand across the world.
He has been invited to share learning in Singapore with Comic Relief and Finland with educational organisation Erasmus.
Kareen Stewart, of Who Cares? Scotland, got Renfrewshire Council to ringfence £100,000 for looked-after children and young people.
The money will provide additional culture, leisure and employability opportunities.
She works on a project dubbed Communities that Care, and draws on her own experience of growing up in care to support and inspire a number of care-experienced youth groups.
Dozens of young people benefit from the weekly sessions she plans and delivers. It’s a safe space to understand their care identity better, connect, and make new friends.
Kareen campaigns every day to influence positive change for lookedafter children and young people.
Renfrewshire Council’s Outdoor Learning Team build shelters and lighting fire as part of their sessions on bushcraft and survival skills with pupils who are often seen as disruptive or challenging.
This “classroom without walls” aims to help young people to achieve meaningful and positive outcomes.
The Outdoor Learning Team have helped young people to take on new challenges including improving school attendance and working for Bronze Duke of Edinburgh awards.
Jim Sweeney, chief executive officer of YouthLink Scotland, said: “We want to celebrate young people and the youth workers who make a difference.
“Paisley YMCA, Renfrewshire Youth Services and Who Cares? are an incredible illustration of youth work that literally changes lives.
“In every part of Scotland, every day, thousands of youth workers, many of them volunteers, are supporting young people to follow their dreams and realise their potential.
“At the heart of these awards will be
A mum tried to attack another woman with a set of keys, a court heard.
Karen Meikle, 31, is facing an assault rap over claims she lunged for Janet McCallum near the town centre.
Meikle denied the charge when the the voices of our young people, telling their youth work story.”
The National Youth Work Awards 2018 will be one of the events that celebrate Scotland’s first Year of Young People.
This national event aims to celebrate the power of young people and the vital role of Scotland’s 80,000 youth work volunteers and staff in the lives of our young people.
Minister for childcare and early years, Maree Todd MSP, said: “As part of the consultation for Year of Young People 2018, young people highlighted that they want to celebrate the important role supporting adults have on their lives.
“Thousands of young people across Scotland have silent champions, who work behind the scenes to raise aspirations and build young people’s confidence and skills.
“The National Youth Work Awards will provide an excellent platform during Year of Young People 2018 to shine a light on the life-changing role youth workers, volunteers and staff make to Scotland’s young people.”
The National Youth Work Awards will be held on Thursday, March 15.
To get involved visit the YouthLink Scotland website online at www. youthlinkscotland.org
case called at Paisley Sheriff Court.
She is also accused of acting in a threatening manner by shouting, swearing and making threats during the row at Glen Lane last September 14.
The accused has been ordered to return for trial on June 12.
Miekle, of nearby Gerry Rafferty Drive, will be subject to an intermediate diet on May 15 to ensure both sides are ready to proceed.