Highland young people celebrate 40 years of youth voice
A host of young people attended Youth Highland’s Youth Board Birthday Party last month, marking 40 years of the group’s support for community based youth clubs and projects across the region.
Youth Highland currently supports 53 organisations to run 158 local youth groups every week as member clubs work with more than 6500 children and young people between the ages of five and 25 with a range of life experiences, needs and interests.
The Youth Board offers the opportunity for young people from member clubs to take a leadership role in designing and delivering youth led activities, events and campaigns.
Over the years young people have been involved in creating workshops and activities for other young people, making funding decisions for youth projects, leading a youth space at the Belladrum music festival, shaping services in voluntary and third sector youth organisations and campaigning about issues that they care about including mental health, education and youth voice.
Bronwyn Strachan, Youth Highlands youth worker said: “It is really important to ensure that all young people have the opportunity to get involved in social activities, to access safe spaces and to be actively involved in shaping the opportunities and activities in their communities.
“The Youth Board enables Youth Highland to work in partnership with young people to deliver the best possible youth work and the best possible outcomes in individuals’ lives and in communities across the region.”
Brandon Moir, a young volunteer, said: “It is really great to be part of something that makes a difference. I enjoy working with other young people to have ideas and make good things happen and to have fun at the same time.”
On Saturday, May 17 young people were able to celebrate together at the group’s very own birthday party.
While eating birthday cake they shared stories about past projects as well as making plans for future projects.
This summer youth board members will be planning some community events and fundraisers, marching at PRIDE, leading activities at Belladrum and planning the launch of a new youth-led magazine.
If you want to know more about Youth Highland, voluntary youth clubs or would like to join the youth board email bronwyn.strachan@youthhighland.org.uk
