Awards nod for ground-breaking Perthshire youth groups

Two lifeline youth groups in Perth are in the running for prizes at a national awards ceremony.

The city’s Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre (RASAC) and the Perth YMCA are both nominated for Scotland’s National Youth Work awards.

RASAC Youth Ambassadors, Perth and Kinross have been shortlisted for the national community youth work category.

The group of 23 young people is challenging norms around sexual violence and gender inequality. The RASAC youth initiative actively encourages young men and women to be part of the solution through its Youth Ambassador Programme.

Meanwhile, the local YMCA group is one of three finalists for the national youth work team of the year title.

The team of 10 staff and 65 dedicated volunteers have worked together to support 287 young people over the last year.

Partnered with churches, the group also runs five youth committees across Perthshire.

Franny McGrath who nominated the team at Perth YMCA, said: “Perth and District YMCA served the local area for 22 years, always putting young people first to ensure they are constantly changing and responding to the social, spiritual and economic needs of local youngsters and the community.”

The National Youth Work Awards 2018 will be one of the events that celebrate Scotland’s inaugural Year of Young People. It will showcase young talent and will recognise the impact of youth workers.

The ceremony, hosted by Deputy First Minister John Swinney MSP, will be held on Glasgow on March 15.