Students pickout theirgood causes

Secondary students in Perth and Kinross have raised vital funds and awareness for charities in their community who address a range of social issues.

Through The Wood Foundation’s Youth and Philanthropy Initiative (YPI), young people from across the country represented causes they cared about in a bid to secure their school’s grant.

Mental health charities, health support services and organisations supporting people living in poverty were the top three issues to receive more than £600,000 of funding this academic year.

Pre-lockdown, students took part in a range of classroombased activities to learn about philanthropy and the needs of their communities.

An entire year group at each school was split into teams with one, deemed to have the most convincing and creative presentation, securing their school’s £3000 grant.

When lockdown was announced, The Wood Foundation announced an adaptation of the process to give students who had not completed their programme the opportunity to advocate and raise funds for the local response to COVID-19.

In Perth and Kinross, £18,000 was secured, with PKAVS being selected by two schools as their chosen charity.

Raymond Hub, manager of the carers service, said: “Raising awareness of caring is vital. It is something that is so often done quietly, behind closed doors. For young people to share their stories and speak publicly is so important.

“It lets others know support is there and how they can get help. It gives theirs peers an insight into their lives.

“I have always been very impressed attending YPI finals and seeing the range of important issues being represented by young people with such creativity and conviction.”

The local choice were:

Hearing Dogs for Deaf People Blairgowrie High School

Churches Action for the Homeless - Crieff High School

Mindspace - Morrison’s Academy

Guide Dogs Scotland - Pitlochry High School

PKAVS - St John’s Academy and The Community School of Auchterarder.

Jonathan Christie, deputy UK director at The Wood Foundation, said: “The sums secured by young people for local communities is incredible.

“This is a unique form of delegated grant-making and puts the power in students’ hands, ensuring there’s representation of the causes which matter to them.

“As well as funds, there are vital awareness raising and relationship components, as well as a range of skills development opportunities for the young people themselves.”