West Lothian Courier

All hyped up about helping the young

- DEBBiE HaLL

A West Lothian project that works with youngsters who are “hard to reach” has won a national award.

Helping Young People Engage ( HYPE) has received a National Youth Work Award for their work with young people. HYPE combine therapeuti­c arts, drama, crafts, media skills and photograph­y to help support young people who are deemed hard to reach.

Speaking after receiving their award, Heather Thomson of HYPE said: “The West Lothian HYPE team are thrilled to win the award in the Arts and Creativity category.

“It’s fabulous to get recognitio­n for the work that we do which ensures some of the most vulnerable young people have access to the arts. As well as an outlet for young people to explore their creativity the arts offer a fantastic opportunit­y to engage in developing skills and confidence in a therapeuti­c, empowering env i ronment which ultimately ensures that they can move on to their positive next step.

“As a team we are so proud to be able to come together and make a difference to the lives of the young people we work with. This award is dedicated to them.”

The Arts and Creativity award this year is proudly sponsored by Creative Scotland, who enable people and organisati­ons to work in and experience the arts, screen and creative industries in Scotland by helping others to develop great ideas and bring them to life.

The award recognises individual­s or groups who have been highly successful in encouragin­g young people’s participat­ion in the arts through a youth work approach.

HYPE are targeting inequality and removing barriers to access the arts, and are demonstrat­ing effective partnershi­p working between the arts and youth work sector.

The National Youth Work Awards 2020 are all about celebratin­g the power of incredible youth work and the vital role of Scotland’s 70,000 youth work volunteers and staff in the lives of our young people.

This national event is codesigned with young people, who have been involved in the judging and the planning of the night.

The awards dinner took place on Wednesday, March 12, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Glasgow, hosted by BAFTA award winning actress, Jane McCarry, aka ‘Isa’ from Still Game.

To get involved visit the YouthLink Scotland website at www.youthlinks­cotland. org.

It’s fabulous to get recognitio­n for the work we do

 ??  ?? Believe it Helping Young People Engage (HYPE) has received a National Youth Work Award for their work with young people
Believe it Helping Young People Engage (HYPE) has received a National Youth Work Award for their work with young people

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