Youth project to continue this year
A YOUTH exchange programme between Argyll and Bute and Germany has proved such a success, it is to continue.
Young people from Bute and Oban will travel to Bavaria next year to spend a week with a group of German teenagers.
It follows a revival of youth exchanges between Argyll and Bute and Amberg-Sulzbach, which are twinned.
Councillor Yvonne McNeilly said: ‘In 2016, when a group of local youngsters visited Germany on the first leg of an exchange, it was the first time in 20 years such a visit had taken place.
‘It went brilliantly and when we hosted the return visit to Rothesay and Oban at Easter this year, it became clear that everyone involved wanted it to become a fixture.
‘I’m delighted that’s been confirmed and a trip to Bavaria is in the offing for 2018.
‘Our young people have been the perfect ambassadors for Argyll and Bute and I know they will be again.
‘That view is shared by our friends in Germany, who are thrilled the exchange has been re-established and everyone is getting so much out of it.
‘Congratulations to everyone who’s worked hard to get this exchange partnership off the ground and make it the real success story that it is.’
Young people from both countries have stayed in touch and two young women from Argyll and Bute have already travelled to stay with friends they met through the exchange.
The group is also working towards a bronze or silver Youth Achievement Award, an SQA-accredited award from Youth Scotland, for their involvement in the exchange.
Among the activities the hosts and their visitors took part in in April included a mini Highland Games, ceilidh with musicians from Argyll Ceilidh Trust, gorge walking and the chance to try bagpipes and drums courtesy of Rothesay and District Pipe Band. Staff from Argyll and Bute Council’s Youth Services team organises and supports the exchange project.
Both the Rothesay and Oban groups were full of praise for the programme.
Participant Gene Palmer of Oban said: ‘On both the German and Scottish legs of the exchange we all learned a lot more about the health and wellbeing topic at hand. We learned the difference in culture and various vocabulary that created a strong bond between the two groups, who will stay in contact online.’
Funding for the project came from Argyll and Bute Council, Argyll and Bute Trust, Foundation Scotland, Argyll and Bute and Wellbeing Network, Bute Drugs and Alcohol Forum, Bute Common Good Fund, For Bute and Rothesay Rotary Club. In-kind support was provided by Historic Scotland and Mount Stuart Educational Trust.