Youth Workand Sport

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CHIEF EXECUTIVE’SINTRODUCTIONWhat an appropriate time to bepublishing this special edition ofThe Link with the warm afterglowof the Commonwealth Games inGlasgow still at the front of ourminds. The Games showed us manythings not least the attraction offriendly competition, the immensepower and resilience of individualand team efforts and the love forsports of all kinds by large sectionsof the community. The Clydesiders,those 15,000 volunteers, showedthat people are not as selfish assometimes is made out to be thecase. If the cause is right the peoplerespond. The Games also sawcommercial interests contributing ina major way to the furtherance ofthe Games and we all hope that themonies and ideas being put intothe Games legacy will bear fruit

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both in Glasgow and throughoutScotland in the coming years.

Until the onset of District andRegional Councils in the mid 70’sthere was a much closer linkage anda clear understanding of how sport,in all its guises, was one of themany tools used by youth workersas part of a mixed programme.Youth ‘leader’ training includedmyriad sessions on wet games, drygames, outdoor pursuits, waterbased activities, coaching and therules and regulations. It was aboutparticipation, on occasioncompetition and links to othergroups and clubs. It was also awindow into individual sports whichthose wishing to take a moreserious interest in could thenpursue.

What made it and makes it youthwork is the relationship betweenworker and young people – the

social group work process and theyouth work ethos.

Sport and Youth Work need tobegin to rearticulate our mutualrelationships and we hope thatthese fabulous examples created aspart of the Commonwealth Gameslegacy will begin that renewal andexpansion of work involving sportand youth work.

Youth Work Changes Lives

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Young Scot, 32 local authorities,and the Scottish Government havebeen working together over thepast four years to support over 130Youth Legacy Ambassadors to makea real impact in engaging their localcommunities around the lastingbenefits and opportunities of the2014 Commonwealth Games.

Amiee Alexander, 20 years old, NorthAyrshire Young Scot Youth LegacyAmbassador shares her experiencesof being involved in the project.

Q: What is your main role as aYouth Legacy Ambassador?

A: I have been a Young Scot YouthLegacy Ambassador since 2011 andI have had one of the mostamazing and rewardingexperiences. I have had the chanceto promote the CommonwealthGames around the whole of mylocal authority, inspiring the youngpeople while encouraging them totake up an active and healthylifestyle.

Q: What has been your keyhighlight so far?

A: I have run many events in mylocal area for young people. Toname one of my favouritehighlights… along with my fellowambassadors I organised the ‘NorthAyrshire Torch Relay’, which saw 52primary schools and every schoolpupil learn more about differentsports and cultures, and create theirown Olympic Torch and pass it onto another school. I have also hadthe chance to present at my localcouncil and national conferences.One of my favourite experienceswas being asked by the FirstMinister to be part of the Officiallaunch of the Queen’s Baton Relay

at Buckingham Palace. It was greatto be a part of the whole day,meeting athletes and delegateswhile representing the youth legacyprogramme. My experience has ledme to become a mentor to theyounger Ambassadors, and Irecently carried the Queen’s BatonRelay for all my volunteering workin my local community.

Q: What have you personallygained from being a YouthLegacy Ambassador?

A: Young Scot have provided mewith some amazing opportunitiesto grow as a person, I have beenable to develop confidence, peopleskills and organisational skills. As anambassador, I have worked with anumber of partners across NorthAyrshire and Scotland, allowing meto gain vital work experience whichhas helped me gain a part-time joband secure a place at university.Overall my whole Youth Legacy

Ambassador experience has beenone that will stay with me foreverand given me the skills andexperiences to be able to contributeto the community.

Q: What is your legacy wishfor the Games 2014?

A: My legacy wish of the Gameswill hopefully be leaving a lastingand positive memory for the youngpeople in my local community that Iam trying to inspire. I would love tosee them getting the chance to tryand take up a new sport during andafter Games time, which I hopewould encourage more active andhealthier lifestyles amongst youngpeople.

For more information on theYoung Scot Youth LegacyAmbassador programme and totake your legacy wish for theGames 2104, visit:www.youngscot.net

Gearing upfor theGames witha YoungScot YouthLegacyAmbassador

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The publication of the ScottishGovernment’s Youth Sport Strategy‘Giving Children and Young Peoplea Sporting Chance’ is an importantopportunity to take sport inScotland to a new level. As is thecase for many strategies, thebiggest challenge is in translatingthe words on paper into actionsthat produce results, particularly inreaching those young peoplehardest to reach with the mostlimited resources at their disposal.

Along with various partners,Scottish Governing Bodies of sport(SGBs) have played and continue toplay a vital role in the activedelivery of sport on the ground.

Delivering beyond Sport

Sport initiatives through the‘CashBack for Communities’ schemeare showing great promise intackling issues of social exclusionand re-engaging disaffected youthin education and promoting health.For example Lothian and BordersPolice produced an analysis of theimpact of a Street Rugbyprogramme and found that thenumber of calls received on Fridaynights fell to levels similar to thosereceived midweek.

The CashBack School of Rugby atGlenwood High School, Fife:

• 66% improvement in attitude. • 46% improvement in behaviour. • 61% improvement in homework.

The CashBack School of Rugby atCarrick Academy:

• 51% decrease in the number ofreferrals to Guidance/SeniorManagement.

• 94% of pupils have dramaticallyincreased the amount of meritsthey were awarded.

Basketball Scotland has usedCashBack funding to create 45,000diversionary activities for youngpeople – an announcement of furtherfunding this year will allow them tocreate another 24,000 opportunitiesover the next three years.

As well as its positive diversionaryeffects, youth-focused sports

The Scottish Sports Association reflect on the vital role sport plays inbenefiting the health, education and employment prospects of

young people

Martin Perry is atriple amputeewho was fullyincluded in hismainstream PEsessions. He wasidentified by hisActive School Co-ordinator andencouraged toattend aParalympicPathway Festivalorganised by theRegional Managers for the West of Scotland – he was supported by aRegional Manager to attend Drumchapel Table Tennis Club. As Martinhad no hands the Regional Manager supported him to access supportfrom the Southern General Hospital Prosthetics Department to developa specially designed bat to fit on his arm. Martin very quickly progressedto be selected for the National Table Tennis Squad in 2010 and the SDSAcademy.

His hard work and determination paid off by being selected for the GBPathways Squad in 2013 – his dream being to represent GB in the Rio2016 Olympics and Paralympics. On top of this he has gainedqualifications to coach the younger members of the club and is pursuinga career in sport by going to University to do a degree in SportsCoaching. Watch this space for an incredibly inspiring young man in Rio 2016.

For further information: E Lynne.Glen@scottishdisabilitysport.com

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programmes continue to show thecorrelation between participationand improved educationalattainment and employmentprospects. Research reportedrecently in the Journal of Paediatricsadvised that ‘Efforts should bemade to promote physical activitiesfor children and adolescents thatinvolve aerobic exercises and motortasks to enhance cardiorespiratorycapacity and motor ability, therebyimproving academic development’.http://www.jpeds.com/content/JPEDSEstebanCornejo

Above all, much of sport’s positivework with young people comesfrom successful partnerships,whether through local authorities,Governing Bodies of Sport,sportscotland or charities such asSAMH and many more. The casestudies referenced in this article area true testimony to the importanceof sport and its wide reachingeffects – continued investment inachieving its various positiveoutcomes will serve societies well.

For further information:http://thessa.org.uk/

Scottish SwimmingScottish Swimming’s Swim4ChangeProgramme is a leadershipprogramme for young people aged16-24 years who are not ineducation, employment or training(NEET) or are in danger of fallinginto this category. Young peopletaking part gain nationallyrecognised qualifications withmentoring support providing entrylevel qualifications into the leisureindustry. The vision is to educateand encourage young people (fromdisadvantaged communities) tobecome swimming/aquaticinstructors and help them to gainvolunteer experience, paidemployment or entry into furthereducation.

Since it began, nearly 200 youngpeople have gone through theprogramme, resulting in 133 newswimming teachers. About 70 have

achieved their NPLQ, while 15secured jobs and 70 have becomevolunteers.

For further information: E: f.paterson@scottishswimming.com

Scottish DisabilitySport (SDS)Through their current strategic plan“Inspiring through Inclusion”, SDSdevelops opportunities andimproves performance in sport forchild athletes and players through aRegional Manager Structure. Thework ensures an inclusive approachto the development of sportingpathways.

Case Study

Some of the key achievements forSDS Regional Managers in the lastyear have been:

• 1020 young disabled peoplehave attended para sportdevelopment days in fiveregions across Scotland.

• 228 new athletes and playershave progressed into regionalsquads or individual supportprogrammes in the sports ofAthletics, Archery, Boccia,Cycling, Judo, Football,Swimming and WheelchairBasketball.

• 140 athletes have progressed torepresent Scotland.

• 30 athletes have been selectedfor UK programmes.

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Clyde – what does that word meanto you? To most in Scotland, it’s ariver; to a few, it’s a canal. However,this year, Clyde was the face of theCommonwealth Games when itcame to Glasgow, and everyoneknew the character and his name.Nevertheless, there is an irony inthe use of Clyde – the irony beingthat there are no officialCommonwealth Games sportingevents taking place on the Clyde,and the boating legacy of theCommonwealth itself is notrepresented. Ocean Youth TrustScotland is helping to change that,in partnership with the RoyalYachting Association Scotland.

OYT Scotland is a world leadingyouth work charity based inGreenock, delivering an annualprogramme of residential youthwork voyages, taking 650 youngpeople a year to sea, aboard itsfleet of sail training vessels. Theysail with young people from a widerange of backgrounds andexperience throughout Scotlandand beyond from 12 to 25 years ofage. RYA Scotland is the governingbody of sailing in Scotland.

Together these two organisationsworked to deliver two eventsshowcasing the diversity of sailing

within one of the most renownedsailing grounds in the world – theWest Coast of Scotland.

The Small Ships Race and theCommonwealth Flotilla took placeat the end of July, 100 youngpeople from all over the UK racedagainst each other on sail trainingvessels, exemplifying the sailtraining ethos of diversity,friendship and celebration. Thecrews raced around the lower Clyde– an estimated 50 nautical miles –and then came together for a partyin Portavadie to watch the openingceremony of the Games on giantscreen TVs. The CommonwealthFlotilla took place on 25-27 July andwas quite some spectacle with 250vessels travelling up the Clyde.

OYT Scotland entered two boatsinto the Small Ships Race, AlbaEndeavour and Alba Volunteer. AlbaEndeavour was crewed by theScotland and Northern Ireland AirTraining Corps and they helped toorganise a mini-CommonwealthGames on the first night of theevent to allow all of the crews tomingle and relax. The AlbaVolunteer was sailed by four youngpeople from the RobertsonScholarship Trust which supportsapproximately 200 young people in

the Glasgow area who are currentlycompleting undergraduate degrees.

OYT Scotland Chief Executive NickFleming commented: “To have thechance to showcase one ofScotland’s finest sports to thenation is an extraordinaryopportunity. So many peoplebelieve that sailing is for the richand famous, but we’re here toshow that it isn’t. Anyone can comesailing, all you need isdetermination – we can teach youthe rest”.

For further information visit:www.oytscotland.org.uk

An adventure under sail forthe Commonwealth Games

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South Lanarkshire prove peereducation benefits the communityas a whole.

Sportworx and Danceworx is a 13week Big Lottery funded programmewhich provides young people aged15-19 from across South Lanarkshirewith opportunities and skills tobecome sport/dance coaches.Participants gain nationallyrecognised qualifications and reallife practical experience whilstbeing mentored by experiencedyouth workers and sport/dancecoaches. It is a unique opportunityfor young people to develop theircoaching skills, confidence andexperience while progressingtowards further education,employment and sustainedvolunteering in their community.

Aims:• Help unemployed young people

into work. • Give school leavers a realistic

learning alternative to school. • Persuade non-attenders to stay

in school and work on thisprogramme as part of theirtimetable.

• Encourage young people todevelop and nurture new skillsand build community capacity.

Coaching for life

• Promote communityinvolvementthroughvolunteering.

• Assist young peoplereach their potentialthrough certificatedsports/dancequalifications.

Sportworx Entertainment is a youngperson led organisation. The groupis run by past and present Sportworx/Danceworx trainees. This projectdevelops skilled peer leaders whocan deliver and evaluate free, fun,educational and healthy activities toyouth/community groups who needsupport across South Lanarkshire.

The educational activities includeteam building, communicationgames, fun activities, sports specificworkshops, birthday parties,holiday programmes and thepromotion of healthy lifestyles. Inthe current climate of cutting costs,these opportunities have beeninvaluable in helping youth clubsand community groups entertainand educate their young people.

The initial focus of theseprogrammes is to support localyouth groups/clubs and assist themwith issues such as inter area youth

work, relationship developmentwithin new groups and diversionaryengagement.

The group have been recognisedwith a number of prestigiousawards such as the Diana Award,YAFTA Award and Phillip LawrenceAwards. These awards were givento the group for their outstandingwork in the community.

The Entertainment peer educatorsare a great example of what youngpeople can achieve and they are acredit to youth learning services.Their actions enhance the sportingand wellbeing capacity withincommunities which in turnincreases the opportunities forexcluded young people to engage.

For further information contact:David Brown, Youth LearningServices, Sportworx/DanceworxTeam Leader.E: gw14browndavid@glow.sch.ukT: 01698 552112.

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At Polmont Young OffendersInstitution you might expect to seeyoung people active in the gym,lifting weights and joggingtreadmills, but that is just thestarting point for the fullyintegrated programme of physicalactivity, volunteering andcommunity engagement that doinga Duke of Edinburgh’s (DofE)Award opens up to them.

The DofE at Polmont YoungOffenders Institution (YOI) is run inpartnership with BarnardosScotland and the PE department.The Physical Section is run by the PEteam and it ties into theVolunteering and Skills sections runby Barnardos.

This partnership is importantbecause for many of the youngoffenders, doing their Physicalsection is the hook into doing theDofE. Many of them are keen tostay active and many were notnecessarily involved in sport beforecoming to Polmont. The DofE teamuses their interest in sport to getthem thinking about volunteeringand developing their skills.

Most recently, the DofE group ran atennis tournament to fundraise in

support of testicular cancer charityGrab Life by the Balls. The groupraised over £300 for the charity withthe tournament, which is just oneexample of the many ways they usetheir interest in sport for socialgood.

They are also able to use their DofEto broaden their skills and try newactivities. One young person tookpart in the contemporary danceproject in Polmont as part of hisPhysical Section. He had noprevious experience with dance, butfell in love with it. Now that he’sleft the YOI he’s still involved withdance and has taken it so far as tojoin a college course in dance andperforming arts.

Speaking about his experience hesaid: “DofE has given me theconfidence and belief in myself thatI can achieve. It was a fantasticexperience and has helped me enrolin a college as well as helping megain employment when I wasreleased.”

The DofE helps young offenders todevelop their leadership andinterpersonal skills as well. Again,this is often done through theirinvolvement with sport. Many of

them develop leadership skillsthrough the Sports Leader Awardsand instructor courses, which theyuse for their DofE Skills Section.

Lisa Hogg, DofE Coordinator atPolmont YOI sees the difference theDofE makes to the participants:“After taking part they are able totake their experience back into thecommunity when they are releasedand continue that positiveinvolvement, as did the youngperson involved in the danceproject. Doing their DofE opensthem up to different forms of sport,but also different ways ofdeveloping themselves”.

For further information: E: scotland@DofE.org T: 0131 343 0920.

Mind, bodyand soul

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Sport in partnershipThe KLC 629 Project is based at Kirkintilloch LeisureCentre and is a partnership initiative between CLD YoungPeople’s Services, East Dunbartonshire Leisure andCulture Trust, Community Safety Partnership (CSP),Alcohol and Drugs Partnership and Police Scotland. Theproject offers young people aged 8-17 alternative thingsto do on a Saturday evening.

Badminton; Basketball; Dance; Fitness Suite;Football; Swimming; Tennis; Youth AchievementAward; Youth based workshops.

The KLC 629 project for young people was praised in arecent report from The Care Inspectorate for helping toimprove community safety and significantly reduce anti-social behaviour in the area. Since the project began inNovember 2009, local incidents of anti-social behaviour,which includes underage drinking, violence, disorder andassociated vandalism, have dropped by 34.4%.

The success of the project has resulted in additionalfunding from the CSP to pilot a similar project inBishopbriggs.

Key features:• Young people supported and taking part in a range

of sporting activities.• Qualified staff delivering activities with Continual

Professional Development built in.• Sustaining levels of participation (number average

130 every Saturday).• Links with local clubs and youth groups supported.• Pathways into sports and talent recognition.• Reducing crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour.• Partnership with Police and young people leading to

improved relationships.• Introduction of Youth Achievement and Dynamic

Youth Awards.• Building relationships with staff, young people and

their parents.• Partnership approach project has gained a positive

reputation.

For further information:E: simon.d.ross@eastdunbarton.gov.ukT: 0141 777 3031.

Stepping to a rural beatIn conjunction with Glasgow based youth dance project,Y-Dance, the Highland Active Schools Team organised aseries of one day workshops for teenage girls, designedto boost self-confidence and teach leadership skillsthrough the medium of dance. Over 500 girls, from 13-18 years of age, took part in these workshops whichwere delivered in every high school in the Highland area.

The girls were then invited to apply for a week long Level1 Dance Leadership course. These were held in FortWilliam and Inverness in the February holiday, with afurther three courses in Wick, Dingwall and Nairn in theEaster holidays. Project results:

• Over 500 girls undertook a one day course in danceleadership, with a focus on fun, personaldevelopment and learning peer coaching techniquesin a supportive environment.

• 45 girls from S3-6 went on to successfully complete anationally recognised qualification course, the Level 1Dance Leadership Award.

• Feedback from the courses delivered indicates thatparticipants increased in confidence whilst learning todeliver fun, well-structured and safe sessions.

• Participants developed their choreography skills andlearnt new dance moves to incorporate into their ownroutines.

• The courses were also an opportunity for girls fromdifferent high schools to mix, particularly significantfor girls who attended from rural areas.

• The dance leaders will now be supported by theirActive Schools Co-ordinators, to deliver sessions intheir local primary schools, where they will be positiverole models and increase levels of fitness and activity.

This project demonstrates the potential of effectivepartnership working between external agencies andactive schools. This creates more opportunities for bothsecondary and primary age pupils. A positive environ-ment for young people to grow and develop is achieved.

For further information: E: kevin.thomson@highlifehighland.com T: 01463 663808.

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The Mark Scott Leadership for LifeAward is a unique project for TheOutward Bound Trust in Scotlandwhich tackles sectarianism andencourages acceptance of diversitywithin Scotland’s youngergeneration, through a combinationof outdoor and community basedlearning. This award programmestarted in 1997 following the deathof Mark Scott, a 16- year oldGlasgow schoolboy, who wasmurdered in an unprovokedsectarian attack the previous year.

April this year saw 179 youngpeople from 57 schools acrossCentral Scotland receiving The MarkScott Leadership for Life Awardwhich was presented by LouiseMartin, Chair of sportscotland andVice Chair of the OrganisingCommittee of the 2014Commonwealth Games and LesleyThomson, Solicitor General.

The Mark Scott Foundation and TheOutward Bound Trust developedthe 10 month long programmewith clear aims and objectives ofbreaking down young people’sprejudices about religion and raceand to work effectively together.Now entering into its sixteenth year,a total of 2,118 young people will

have participated in the awardsince its inauguration.

The programme begins with sixth-year pupils from partnerschools across Central Scotlandattending a presentation given byOutward Bound staff. Successfulapplicants from three or fourschools in the same area are putinto clusters of 12-14 young peopleto work in project teams. The teamscomplete a one week residentialcourse at one of The OutwardBound Trust’s residential centres atLoch Eil in Scotland or Howtown inthe Lake District.

The residential is made up ofdynamic outdoor activities, whichcan include rock climbing,abseiling, raft building and anexpedition which give theparticipants an experience of teamwork and personal challenge.Classroom sessions also provideteaching transferable business skillssuch as presentations, finance,project management and planning.

Once home, each project teamcontinues to meet with its OutwardBound instructor over six months toplan and deliver projects whichhave a practical and positive impact

within their neighbourhoods.Recent examples include anintergenerational project in St.Joseph’s elderly care home inGlasgow and a painting andrenovation project at St. Margaret’sHospice in Clydebank.

The Trust’s evaluation of theprogramme in its most recent SocialImpact Report found that three keyqualities were developed byparticipants: their capacity forbuilding relationships; a solidfoundation of personal andemotional skills and a lastingenthusiasm for challenge andachievement.

For further information:E: martin.davidson@outwardbound.org.uk W: www.markscottleadershipforlifeaward.org.uk T: 0141 413 0244.

Leadership throughsport in the wild

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The Kick Bop One Shop Drop-inPilot was initially developed withyoung people in mind with a focuson improving life chances,empowering young people,individually and collectively, tomake changes in their lives and intheir communities. Throughlearning, personal development,active participation and citizenship.This pilot has been running for 16weeks now, attendance on averageeach evening is between 40- 50young people aged between 11and 17. There are now 145 youngpeople accessing the Drop-in fromall backgrounds.

The Drop-in is based aroundHealthy Living and Well-beingwhere young people can take partin a number of sporting activitiessuch as dance tasters, football withSFA coaching, hockey, karate,badminton etc. They can access 1-1support, advice and guidancethrough our highly skilled youthworkers and partner agencies on aweekly basis.

By providing a safe environment

Drop-in for changewith positive adult role models toencourage peer support we havebeen able to build relationshipswith the young people which hasallowed us to come togethercollectively. We have been able toplan together a programme ofactivities/group-work for the youngpeople to take part in whichcontributes to their fitness, physicaland mental well-being as well asbuilding and developing thisproject.

We have an area in the projectresourced to provide access tosignposting to other agencies andorganisations, provide issue basedbooklets and we are now deliveringthemed workshops based aroundhealthy living on a weekly basis.This has included healthy livingbased around a healthy diet, EatWell Plate, and promoting a varieddiet including fruit and vegetables.

A big part of our focus is to delivergroup-work on positiverelationships, communication skills,exploring thoughts and feelings,values and beliefs through

exploring issues like body image,obesity, emotional and mentalhealth issues such as depression. Inthese sessions we have touched onrisk taking behaviours, sexualhealth/substance misuse with anemphasis on keeping yourself safeand building young people’sresilience. We now have threeyoung volunteers, one of whomcame through the family resilienceproject, who are helping developthis pilot on a weekly basis, gainingmany valuable skills which pavesthe way towards more positivedestinations. We, including theyoung people, are now looking toexpand this pilot project byconsulting with the young peopleto offer a summer programme.

For further information: E: Lynne.tait@midlothian.gov.uk T: 0131 271 3434.

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Footy Tea with Aberdeen FCCommunity Trust are combininghealthy eating with the beautifulgame, what’s not to love!

Since August 2013, 20 youngpeople from Seaton Primary Schoolhave been participating in the FootyTea programme, which is funded bythe Tartan Army Children’s Charity(TACC). Over the past 10 monthsthe young people have taken partin over 40 hours of footballcoaching, delivered by Aberdeen FCCommunity Trust Coaches,

A diet of footballimmediately followed by a ‘homecooked’ healthy meal every Tuesdayat Pittodrie Stadium. In addition theyoung people have learned how toset the table, how to behave at thedinner table, and how to wash andtidy up after their meal.

The programme has not only helpedthe youngsters become more activeand improve their football skills,but they have been encouraged towork as a team throughout thecoaching sessions and at the dinner.By participating in the programme

the youngsters have learned newskills, enhanced their confidence,tasted new foods, and significantlywidened their experiences.

The opportunities given to theFooty Tea participants range from atrip to Hampden for ‘My FirstScotland Game’, visits from 1stteam Aberdeen Players and theAberdeen manager as well asgetting the chance to play on thePittodrie pitch at half time at anSPFL match.

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The Headmistress at SeatonPrimary, Agnes Ross, has been verysupportive of the programme andshe regularly attends sessions. Shehas seen the whole programmedelivered and believes the projectreally does inject confidence inyoung people:

“One child in particular was veryisolated and had great difficulty inbeing friends with other children.Through the perseverance anddedication of the coaches thatyoung person has now begun to mixmore freely, show far greaterparticipation and will strive toachieve in a way which before theywould have rejected. They havefinally begun to achieve success andtheir continuing development in thisarea is great to see each week”.

And the programme is not onlyhaving an impact on the young

people involved, but the familiesare enjoying seeing their childrengain new life experiences and skillsfrom the programme.

One parent said:

“A few years ago my child wouldnot have walked into a room ofstrangers, over the past fewmonths their confidence and self-belief has skyrocketed and everyonecomments… they now believe intheir ability and words will neverexpress my thanks for that… Aspecial thanks to all at AFCCommunity Trust”.

Pupils Mother.

The staff at Aberdeen FCCommunity Trust have also noticeda difference in some of the youngpeople throughout the programme:

“The transformation isimmeasurable. I am so proud to

have been a part in supporting thisyoung person through a difficulttime in their life, on and off thepitch development has been visiblefor all to see. They scored a greatgoal last week too, watching AdamRooney at the League Cup Finalmust have rubbed off on them!”

Dean McBain, Apprentice Aberdeen FC Community

Trust Coach

Overall, the programme has been ahuge success and it is great to seethese young people flourish.Everyone at AFC is looking forwardto continuing the programme nextyear and making a difference tothese people’s lives.

For further information: E: ally.prockter@afc.co.uk T: 01224 650457.

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July and August were an actionpacked couple of months for LGBTYouth Scotland as we plunged headfirst into celebrating the Common-wealth Games and the legacy theypromise to leave for Scotland’syoung people. In partnership withLEAP Sports, we offered a wholeprogramme of events young peopletook part in around the Common-wealth Games in connection withPride House Glasgow.

Based on our work with youngpeople and our 2013 GameChangers consultation into youngpeople’s attitudes towards theCommonwealth Games and sport,we know that LGBT people do notalways feel as confident as theirpeers to participate in sports, oftenas a result of either real orperceived prejudice. We believe thatparticipation in sports can play animportant role in improving healthand wellbeing, both physically andmentally, which is why we areworking to promote equal access tosports by providing opportunities toLGBT young people to engage insporting activities.

Taking pride inthe games

The Commonwealth Games YouthProgramme was a vital and excitingpart of this work. The activities onoffer included a Hip Hop danceclass, boating, ice skating, andtrampolining, which took placeacross Glasgow, Edinburgh,Dumfries, Inverness and Perth. Thiswork also tied in with our GameChangers project, which aims to getyoung LGBT people involved insome of the many LGBT friendlysports teams across Scotland. AtPride Glasgow, the Game Changersoffered a sports taster obstaclecourse and at the closing weekendof Pride House they hosted indoorgames and competitions, as well asa Q&A with LGBT athletes.

For the final fun-filled weekend ofthe Youth Programme at the end ofAugust, the Game Changers put ona Legacy Sports Challenge Fairwhere young people had theopportunity to try out differentsports and sign up for futureevents. The TRANSport residentialtook place the same weekend,providing transgender youngpeople with the chance to take part

in outdoor activities and socialise ina safe environment.

All in all, we were kept on our toeshere at LGBT Youth Scotland thissummer and we hope that as manyyoung people as possible were too!For updates over the comingmonths, follow us @LGBTYS andlike us on facebook.com/LGBTYS.

See all the events offered in theYouth Programme:https://www.lgbtyouth.org.uk/files/documents/Youth_programme.pdf

Find our Game Changerconsultation report here:https://www.lgbtyouth.org.uk/news/gamechanger

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Humanity, Equality and Destiny isthe motto of the Commonwealthgames.

In 1891 Reverend Astley Coopersuggested a pan-Britannic/ pan-Anglican contest and festival everyfour years with the aim ofincreasing goodwill andunderstanding in the British Empire:the spark of life given to the newlyborn idea of the CommonwealthGames. However, the Reverendwould not find his idea trulyimplemented until 1930 wheneleven nations took part in theBritish Empire Games in Hamilton,Canada. The CommonwealthGames have changed and evolvedover the decades, becominginclusive to women in 1950 andpeople with disabilities in 1962.

Glasgow was very much in thespotlight as the CommonwealthGames arrived in the city. The eyesof the world fixed on Scotlandwatching, waiting, and anticipatinggreatness. With expectationsbecoming greater and greater asthe opening ceremony approached,questions were being asked, willGlasgow deliver not only a greatgames but a better future for thecountry, and what will Scotland’smessage to the internationalcommunity be?

The Scottish Youth Parliament’sJustice Committee recognise thechanging landscape of the countrywith the construction of newsporting facilities, more affordablesporting activities for young people,and a greater equality andinclusiveness being shown todisadvantaged groups in respect tosporting opportunities.

However, in recent years,disadvantaged groups across theCommonwealth have seen anexponential increase in violationstowards their human rights and acomplete disregard to recognisethose rights by many of themember nations. Furthermore,many minority groups withinCommonwealth countries havecontinually seen freedom of speechand expression repealed, in manycases promoting furtherdiscrimination, greater violence,and in extreme cases, the death ofvulnerable individuals.

It is important to recognise theCommonwealth is not the onlyplace where human rightsviolations occur, and it is amisconception to believe all humanrights violations within theCommonwealth occur in Africannations; many violations come fromoutdated and highly discriminative

colonial British Laws. These lawsmay not still exist within our legalframework, but still remain withinour society and passivelyperpetuate human rights violations.

With the eyes of the world fixed onGlasgow, the Games must be usedto begin a constructive dialoguebetween nations, a dialogue whichaims to fundamentally recogniseand promote comprehensiveprotection for all individuals’ andtheir human rights.

The Commonwealth Games hasgiven Glasgow the opportunity tocreate a legacy wider reaching andwith a greater impact than anyonecould imagine. It’s time forGlasgow and Scotland to take thefirst step and begin a dialogue offundamental recognition andprotection of human rights.

Joshua McCormick MSYP Justice Convener

A Commonwealth of equals?Joshua McCormick MSYP. Justice Convener of the Scottish Youth

Parliament discusses what Scotland’s 2014 message to theInternational Community should be

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Young Scot Legacy Wishes on Glasgow Green

The Boys’ Brigade are piping hot for the Games

Onthank young boxers host Team Canada Boxing Squad

DofE Scotland Commonwealth Youth Summit

Tanya Chapman, Girls’ BrigadeScotland

Georgie Williams carries the batonfor Perth & Kinross Guides

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Youth Worker, Emma Laverie isswept off her feet by Clyde

Police Scotland volunteers withClyde

Midlothian’s Bi Ski Downhill withthe baton

Ocean Youth Trust on theCommonwealth Flotilla

In the swim for the Games with East Ayrshire

Youth Legacy Ambassadors from the Highlands & Islands LGBT young people enjoy the Games

18 | The Link

The North Lanarkshire Youth LegacyAmbassadors (YLAs) are a group ofyoung people who have beenworking together in their owncommunities to promote the legacyof the Glasgow 2014 Common-wealth Games, under the fourlegacy themes: Active, Sustainable,Flourishing and Connected.

The YLAs are supported by a staffmember from North LanarkshireCommunity Learning and Develop-ment youth work team, and receivesupport nationally from Young Scot.

The YLAs have taken a peereducation approach to getting their ‘Active’ message out. Theyhave delivered CommonwealthGames themed workshops inschools across North Lanarkshirewith the aim of enthusing childrenand young people about the gamesin addition to encouraging anactive, healthy lifestyle. They havelinked with local sports clubs topromote activities to localcommunities and consulted withlocal young people on the newnational draft sports strategy.

Most recently, the group secured‘Celebrate It’ Lottery funding toinvolve young people in making afilm about Lanarkshire’s links to theCommonwealth Games. Thisinvolved researching andinterviewing local Commonwealthathletes (past and present) inaddition to featuring up andcoming young stars who currentlytrain in the area, across a number ofdisciplines. The film was premieredat a community event recently, andthe young people involved wereproud to showcase theirachievements and acknowledge theadditional benefits they gainedfrom being involved in the project,such as improving their ability towork in a team.

The YLAs are now busy planningtheir next project, a footballtournament, where local youthteams can compete for the‘Commonwealth Cup’. Tony, one ofthe organisers hopes that throughthis project the participants willhave a really enjoyable experienceand feel motivated to continueplaying team sports.

As recognition of their achievementsand commitment to the role, fourYLAs were honoured to carry theQueen’s Baton when it visited NorthLanarkshire in June, and the wholegroup received tickets to attendCommonwealth Games events. Theyare in the process of accreditingtheir experiences via Saltire andYouth Achievement Awards. It justgoes to prove that using sport as avehicle within youth work reallydoes pay off.

For further information:E: Thomsonki@northlan.gov.uk T: 01236 812636.

Spreading thesporting message

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Teen spiritSports Camps are great opportunities for clubs and teams to makeuse of Scotland’s fantastic residential facilities. Your teams andmembers will reach new levels of performance by participating inmulti-day camps and injecting fun activities into your sportexperiences.

At our three Scottish Outdoor Education Centres (SOEC): Belmont,Broomlee and Dounans, we work with many teams, clubs andsports organisations covering everything from football toorienteering, rugby to archery, and hockey, martial arts androwing. Whether you’re looking for a venue for 20 or 200, SOECcan provide for you.

Many people enjoy the opportunities afforded by a residential campto combine use of innovative outdoor spaces, accommodation,good food and the close proximity of pitches and classrooms.

SOEC can also support your aims with added-value activities.Some clubs work with our tutors for team building and tostrengthen group cohesion. Others use our challenge events toinvigorate competitive spirit. In either case, clubs can make use ofthe wide range of on-site activities such as rope courses, problemsolving challenges and zip wires.

We can provide experiences to complement skills development foryour sport when the weather is against you. For example, whensnow conditions let you down, ski clubs might undertake a coursein our grounds interspersed with archery, simulating thechallenges of the biathlon.

Here are some examples of how groups use our Centres:

• Mountain biking groups use Dounans for an annualcompetition going straight from the centre into trails in theNational Park while others use Broomlee when en route toGlentress.

• Over 150 international competitors used Belmont for aninternational orienteering event accessing several good localcourses.

• Hill walking groups and Nordic walkers make our centres theirbase for more leisurely sporting activity while others, such asresidential fitness boot camps, can be more frenetic.

• Clubs and schools stay with us to attend major events such asthe rugby internationals at Murrayfield. They like theopportunity to stretch their legs on our pitches after travellingand put into practice what they’ve seen in the game.

The residential sports camp offers fantastic creative opportunities,limited only by our imagination. SOEC has a wealth of experienceso why not talk to us about your ideas.

You’ll be amazed at what you can do.

For further information: W: www.soec.org.uk

20 | The Link

Youth Scotland’s Youth ActiveProgramme provides opportunitiesfor young people to be active in allsenses of the word in theircommunity and encourages themto motivate their peers to take anactive approach to life. It providesyoung people with the opportunityto gain experiences, qualificationsand develop personally andprofessionally.

Youth Scotland strives for youngpeople to reach their potentialthrough these opportunities andreaches across Scotland makingaccess inclusive and for all.

Breaking throughYouth Scotland works with youngpeople from all backgrounds andrecently launched the ‘Breaking

Barriers’ Project in Cornton ValePrison in January 2014 inpartnership with the Scottish PrisonService. ‘Breaking Barriers’ is apioneering project allowing femaleprisoners to become more involvedin the gym environment, using it asa place to develop life skills, buildconfidence, self-esteem and take onleadership roles. The project hasworked with over 200 youngwomen and works towardsachieving more positive lifeoutcomes. A current programmebeing delivered is ‘Positive Me’which is an eight week programmeencouraging the women to have apositive view of their bodies andbecome more physically active intheir daily lives. The programmeprovides them with positiveopportunities and hopefully

provides a new approach to certainaspects of their lives. ‘BreakingBarriers’ also allows the women toaccess and gain accreditationthrough Youth Scotland’s YouthAchievement awards which is partof the Scottish Credit andQualifications Framework.

Step to the beatYouth Scotland through their flag-ship ‘Girls on the Move’ programmecontributes towards the ScottishGovernment’s Active Girls Strategy.‘Girls on the Move’ deliversleadership programmes across thelength and breadth of Scotland

Get a move on

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providing girls and young womenwith qualifications in sport anddance leadership and youthachievement awards, all of whichare nationally recognised. Theprogramme also provides youngwomen and girls with opportunitiesto develop life skills contributingtowards their employability. ‘Girlson the Move’ is delivered with arange of partners including localauthorities, active schools, youthgroups and leisure trusts. InSeptember the leaders of the projectwill take part in a national conferencewhich will be a great opportunityto learn new skills and share ideas,which in turn will engage moreyoung people to get moving.

Training the future The Youth Active Programmeprovides training and courses forthose who work with young peopleto ensure there is sustainability andquality and equality of opportunity.Youth Scotland through partnershipwith Scottish Sports Futures andCashBack for Communities havedeveloped ‘Education throughCashBack’ which has been rolledout to governing bodies, youthworkers and sport coaches. Thetraining explores the relationshipbetween sport and the youth workapproach. Youth Scotland has alsodeveloped a sport based resourcefor delivering dynamic youthachievement to make it easier forsport coaches to accredit the workof the young people who take part.

On yer bike Bike Club is a partnership with CTC,the national cycling charity. Theclub works to enthuse youngpeople about getting out andabout on bikes. Since 2010 it hasworked with over 90 organisationsand 6,500 young people acrossEdinburgh, the Lothians, Falkirk,Fife and Glasgow. The focus of BikeClub is on working with those frombackgrounds and communities that

wouldn’t normally see cycling aspart of their lives – Minority Ethniccommunities, young people withdisabilities, as well as youngwomen and men fromdisadvantaged areas.

Thanks to funding from the ScottishGovernment’s Legacy 2014 andGlasgow City Council, Bike Club isabout to launch a new phase inGlasgow. Bike Club will be workingintensively with 15 young people

on a development and leadershipcourse so they can become BikeClub leaders in their own com-munities. Our Bike Club Develop-ment Officer will act as a mentor,supporting the young leaders asthey develop and supporting themto set up Bike Clubs.

For further information: E: rebecca.simpson@youthscotland.orgT: 0131 554 2561.

Feedback received included:

“Adventure 2014 has mademy daughter realise she canachieve things she didn’t knowshe could do”.

“Adventure 2014 gave mydaughter the opportunity tocamp for the first time, andtry sailing and archery, as wellas meeting a wealth of girlsfrom all over Scotland”.

“Guides is the best thing thathas happened to my daughterwho lacks confidence. Theseadventure days are wonderfulfor encouraging her to mixand try new things”.

“Adventure 2014 gave mydaughter a great opportunityto get active, meet otherGuides and develop practicalskills”.

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GgLP_BL_C

In May, over 1,500 Guides andSenior Section members got thechance to experience a day of funand exciting outdoors activitiesthrough Adventure 2014. With thehelp of Strategic PartnershipFunding, Girlguiding Scotland wereable to deliver affordable adventureevents to girls and young womenwho may not otherwise have hadthis opportunity.

Events like Adventure 2014 arehugely popular amongstGirlguiding members, proving thedemand for exciting outdooractivities from young people. Byproviding opportunities likeAdventure 2014, GirlguidingScotland enable girls and youngwomen to challenge themselves,build confidence, learn new skills

and try out new adventurousactivities in a safe environment.

Members aged 10-19 had anamazing time trying out a widerange of activities including abseiling,kayaking, mountain biking, sailing,windsurfing, archery, climbing, raftbuilding, caving, paddle boarding,orienteering, zip line and leap offaith. In true Guiding spirit even theoccasional rain showers andthunderstorms didn’t dampen thegirls’ enthusiasm while trying outthe activities.

Adventure 2014 took place at fourcentres spread across Scotland:

• Netherurd Training and ActivityCentre (The Scottish Borders),

• Fordell Firs (Fife), GallowayActivity Centre(Kirkudbrightshire)

• Fairburn Activity Centre (Ross-shire).

For further information: W: www.girlguidingscotland.org.uk

Another stringto the bow

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A TANGIBLE LEGACYA case study in partnership working from Active East

Active East is a Scottish Sports Futures managedprogramme designed to increase levels of physicalactivity, enable young people to develop personallyand address health inequalities within the East ofGlasgow. The aim is to build a genuine legacy for thecommunity, using the 2014 Commonwealth Games asa catalyst, leaving behind skilled young people,organisations and active communities.

To achieve this on a local level Active East works withexisting sport and youth organisations, providing aplatform for them to come together, supporting themthrough small grants and placing young volunteerswithin their clubs and groups. There are currently 54Active Champions, aged 14-25 volunteering across 32partner organisations in the North East of Glasgow.These young volunteers have an interest in sport andphysical activity in its widest sense from leadingdelivery and coaching to organising, evaluating,officiating as well as just ensuring other young peoplehave access to positive activity.

Active East does not reinvent the wheel but insteadlinks with local organisations and works strategicallywith national organisations to maximise impact.Scotland wide Active East works closely with YouthScotland, StreetGames, Sports Leaders and Sported toname but a few.

Partnerships have led to co-hosted events, includingtwo residentials with Youth Scotland: Youth Activeteam resulting in referrals from the ‘Girls on theMove’ programme to Active East, where youngstershave been mentored to stay involved and will soon be

completing a Level 2 in sports leadership. The second‘Young People Taking the Lead’, which is a newprogramme, has six Active Champions as peermentors. All Active Champions are working towards aYouth Achievement Award at either Bronze, Silver,Gold or Platinum level.

Working with Street Games has allowed ActiveChampions to access national residential trainingevents with young people from across the UK. At themost recent StreetGames Youth Conference and Awardsnight Active East swept the board with four awardsgoing to Active Champions which included a PersonalDevelopment Award and UK volunteer of the year.

Sports Leaders have provided tutor training for theActive East community and is the qualification ofchoice in the form of Sports Leaders Level 1 and Level 2which like the Youth Achievement Awards, sits on theSCQF framework. Most recently this partnership hasenabled the opportunity for Active Champions andorganisations to plan and deliver their own communitygames event on the 25 July just one mile from theEmirates Arena with supermarket giant ASDA.

Active East has many more partners and is a truecollaboration from start to finish including fundingand support from joint investment between TheRobertson Trust, Sport Relief and The Big Lottery.With young people at its heart Active East aims toprove that Legacy is a real and tangible thing and notjust a word.

For further information: Scottish Sports Futures E: info@ssf.org.uk. T: 0141 218 4640.

24 | The Link

The Young People, Sports andDiversion Team in partnership withEast Ayrshire Sports Council offerathletes with recognised sportingpotential within East Ayrshire bothfinancial and practical supportthrough our Talented AthleteSupport Programme. Through ourprogramme we have helped manyyoung athletes to represent in theirchosen sporting disciplines forScotland and Great Britain. PeterKirkbride, Georgi Black, SophieSmyth (Weightlifting), Mark Bennett(Rugby 7’s) and Claire Johnston(Lawn Bowls) have all been selectedto represent Scotland at this year’sCommonwealth Games, with Peterpreviously representing GB atLondon 2012 Olympics. Over thelast five years the Talented AthleteSupport Programme has supportedover 100 local athletes who areNational and GB athletes orNational and GB Champions.

Athletes can apply for one of twofunding strands available throughthis programme. DevelopingPotential offers an award of £200plus a free annual gym pass to local

partner’s leisure facilities. To beeligible for this strand of support,athletes must be a Nationalrepresentative in their chosen sportor be a Junior/Senior NationalChampion.

Podium Potential offers athletes a£1000 award with the free yearlong gym pass to local partner’sleisure facilities. To be eligible forthis strand of support, athletesmust be part of the GB Squad orNational Squad for events such asthe Olympics, CommonwealthGames, Paralympics or WinterParalympics.

Support is also offered through ourSpecial Olympic Talented AthleteSupport Programme, specifically forathletes with a learning disabilitywho have been selected to competeat regional, national or worldgames. The next Special Olympicswill take place in Los Angeles 2015.

For further information: E: kevin.wells@east-ayrshire.gov.uk T: 01563 57 6314.

Passing the ball Within East Ayrshire we work veryclosely with local sports clubs,helping to up skill the youngparticipants within their clubsthrough Community Sports LeaderAwards and financial supporttowards National Governing BodyQualifications. The young peoplefrom the club are then in returnable to lead sessions of their own

Lifting the bar for sporting successEast Ayrshire Council are on a mission to support our athletic

champions of the future

Georgi Black, Weightlifter

The Link | 25

to other children, young peopleand adults with disabilities fromtheir own community. A greatexample of this is Bonnyton ThistleFootball Club who, with the aid ofEast Ayrshire Council & EastAyrshire Sports Council, put theiryounger players through coachingqualifications and in return theyoung people from the club nowcoach Bonnyton Thistle DisabilityFootball.

In the midnighthourEast Ayrshire Council Vibrant Com-munities section introduced a pro-gramme called ‘Youth Action Team’(YAT) in 2014. The YAT strategicallytargets an area with highincidences of anti-social behaviourand puts in place positive, youthfocused activities which youngpeople wouldn’t normally get thechance to partake in.

The YAT is a holistic approach toaddressing the problem of anti-social behaviour within particularcommunities which involves usingboth the ‘Displacement’ and‘Therapeutic Prevention’ models ofDiversionary Sport Intervention. Theprogramme incorporates sport,sports leadership, youth work andyouth training to provide a longterm, sustainable solution to theperceived problem of youthdisorder. Utilising positive sportingactivities such as the ScottishFootball Association’s nationally runBank of Scotland Midnight Leagues(BOS ML) and East AyrshireCouncil’s own mobile skate park, aswell as a wide range of arts, mediaand dance programmes. The YATstaff actively engage young peoplein these activities at the times whenlocal communities are at most riskof anti-social behaviour. Thismethod of displacement alleviatesthe initial problem, however it isthe development of the activitiesand training that is the mostempowering.

After the initial engagement, youngpeople with inherent skill sets,including leadership, charisma andenthusiasm, are offered theopportunity to gain qualifications,training and volunteeropportunities which allow them toactively contribute to the way theseactivities are run. This provides anincreased focus on the youngpeople during activities, increasingthe relevance of YAT and alsoengages the target audience withrole models from their owncommunity which is effective inpromoting opportunities andbroadening life goals.

From this point the young peopleare supported to progress the

project in any way they see fit.Whether that is throughconstituting the group to apply forfunding in order to maintainsessions or support and advice towiden their impact.

The YAT have completed threeinterventions within the EastAyrshire area, all with differentoutcomes, which the young peopleshowcased in front of local guestsand released virally through socialmedia sites. The outcomes rangedfrom gaining casual Skate Parkvolunteers and seeing a 100%increase at the local BOS ML, to theformation of a band whoperformed at the showcase eventand recorded a music video.

Peter Kirkbride National and GB Champion

26 | The Link

Shetland’s Youth LegacyAmbassadors planned a two daysports conference for children aged12+ with support from YouthServices and Active Schools. Theconference aimed to promote theCommonwealth Games, an activelifestyle, highlight the variety ofdifferent sports people can beinvolved in and to increase theparticipation of young peopleinvolved in sport in Shetland.

This was achieved throughdeveloping a programme ofactivities that included a variety ofsports that are available in theCommonwealth Games and sportsthat are available in Shetland. Witharound 25 different activities thatyoung people could participate inover the two days such as; Hockey,Badminton, Boccia (a Paralympic

sport), Compose an Anthem,Jazzercise and CoachingOpportunities to name a few –young people had a vast choice ofaccredited courses, information andactive sessions. These sessions wererun by a variety of different people:coaches; local sports athletes; YLAsand Sports Panel members. We had five British CommonwealthAthletes who came up from theDame Kelly Holmes Legacy Trust torun sessions in Fencing, Gymnastics,Athletics, Squash as well as teambuilding sessions.

sportscotland and Young ScotSport Panel member Chris Sellarfrom Edinburgh said:

“It was a great experience totravel to Shetland andcontribute to the YoungPeople’s Sports Conference.The event went really well andseemed to engage and inspirea number of young people.

“It was important for theYoung People’s Sort Panel toexperience sport in a ruralcommunity, appreciating boththe benefits and challenges thisbrings.

“It was also very rewardingsharing with the Shetlandcommunity our journey asyoung leaders and the activitythe panel have been involvedwith over the last two years”.

Commonwealthon the Isles

Youth legacy Ambassadors: Holly King,Luke Smith, Vicky Anderson (SupportWorker), Charlie Unsworth, Morag Maver(Support Worker), Stewart Hornal.

The variety of different leaders andevents allowed the conference tobe a roaring success as it meantyoung people of all interests wereinvolved and able to try new thingswhilst celebrating the Common-wealth Games. Shetland’s YouthLegacy Ambassadors really benefit-ted from having the opportunity toorganise such an event and theirconfidence has increased, they havediscovered more of their strengthsand have identified areas forimprovement. Massivecongratulations must be given fortheir efforts in allowing such a largeevent to be so successful.

For further information:E: brenda.leask@shetland.gov.uk T: 01595 745118.

The Link | 27

influence what happens and to takeup positions of leadership in schooland community sport. We have alsoworked to ensure that youngpeople’s contribution to thedevelopment of Scottish sport isrecognised and rewarded. Over thelast four years we have developed arange of opportunities for youngpeople to influence and lead in sport:

• Young Ambassadors – over 600young people each year havethe opportunity to take on thisrole, the key purpose of which isto motivate and inspire theirpeers to participate in sport.

• Lead 2014 – over 900 youngpeople each year receivetraining designed to equip themto plan, organise and deliversports events/festivals.

• Young Hub Leaders – this hasbeen emerging work over thelast year which seeks to embedyoung people’s involvement inthe decision making ofCommunity Sports Hubs.

• Active Girls – through a rangeof activities this project aims toincrease girls and youngwomen’s participation in PE,physical activity and sport.

Young people’s sport panel – thesport panel has two roles; to

influence and shape the future ofsport in Scotland and to raise theprofile of sport to young people.One of the key principles inestablishing the sport panel is thatthey will inform sportscotland’swork and that we will embed thepractice of involving, listening toand taking on board the views ofyoung people as a way of workingas an organisation.

We recognise the significantamount of work undertaken bynational and local partners, whoweek-in and week-out deliversignificant sports opportunities foryoung people throughout Scotland.Along with a wide range of youthwork across Scotland, sportscotlandwants to continue its investment inyoung people; providing a lastinglegacy of confident, well trained,knowledgeable and experiencedyoung people.

We are currently reviewing ourcorporate plan for the period 2015-19 and if you have thoughtsabout the role of sport in youthwork, we’d love to hear from you!

For further information: E: mary.allison@sportscotland.org.uk

Where two strategies meet

Mary Allison, Head of Strategic Plan-ning for sportscotland looks at howthe new youth sport strategy andthe national youth work strategywill complement each other.

In June 2014 the ScottishGovernment published Scotland’syouth sport strategy for childrenand young people ‘Our SportingFuture’. This strategy has a clearaspiration to ensure that “Scotlandis a great environment for childrenand young people to embark onlifelong participation in sport”.

sportscotland recognise this visionfor sport in schools, communities,youth work, clubs and on the worldstage is and will continue to bedelivered by people and organisationsworking together. We see theseambitions echoed in the ambitionsof the National Youth WorkStrategy for Scotland 2014-19.

sportscotland believes that sport isan important context for the deliveryof this strategy and one which hasthe power to reach and engage awide range of young people.

sportscotland has been workinghard over the past four years to putyoung people at the heart ofdecision-making in sport, givingsupport and opportunities to

28 | The Link

Holyrood experienced a verydifferent kind of parliamentarygathering in June as MSPs andyoung people pitted their witsagainst each other to celebratelearning in the great outdoors.

‘Wild in the Park’ was all aboutraising the awareness and profilefor the outdoor learning section ofthe youth work sector, which makesa significant contribution to a raftof educational outcomes. The entiresector has much to offer fromresidential centres to camps andwater based activities through to

Rennie MSP and the SNP’s BruceCrawford MSP set aside theirpolitical differences as they form‘Team Holyrood’ to celebrate youthwork at this unique festival.

The afternoon, which was thehottest of the year so far, saw MSPsfrom across Scotland taking part ina host of challenges including:mountain biking; raft building; firelighting; wild cooking and survivaltechniques. The event culminated inthe UK’s first ever outdoorparliamentary reception.

Jim Sweeney, CEO of YouthLinkScotland, who hosted ‘Wild in thePark’, said wild learning and sportwas a rite of passage for theyounger generation:

“Outdoor learning has somethingfor everyone so let’s encourage ouryoung people to GO WILD and getinvolved in the great outdoors.”

Over 40 MSPs turned out to givetheir support to youth work in thegreat outdoors with the officialparliamentary reception beingopened formally by the Minister forChildren and Young People, AileenCampbell MSP.

Organisationsinvolved were: Service Cadet Organisations;DofE Scotland; Scouts Scotland;Historic Scotland; EducationScotland; The Boys’ Brigade;Scottish Outdoor EducationCentres; Ocean Youth Trust; TheOutward Bound Trust; VentureScotland; Iona Community; TheConservation Volunteers; KeepScotland Beautiful; The JohnMuir Award; The National Trustfor Scotland; South AyrshireCouncil; Perth and KinrossCouncil; The Yard; ScottishYouth Hostelling Association;Scripture Union Scotland;Woodcraft Folk; Callander YouthProject; The Green Team; YouthScotland; Stramash; Pict byNature; St Andrew’s First Aid;The Prince’s Trust; GirlguidingScotland and Scottish YouthParliament.

hill walking, climbing, environ-mental projects and of course amyriad of sports related activities.

The event on Wednesday 18 Junekicked off with the SNP andScotland’s opposition party leadersracing against the clock and againsta team of young people fromScouts Scotland, to see who canpitch a tent in record time.

Scottish Labour Leader, JohannLamont MSP; Scottish ConservativeLeader, Ruth Davidson MSP;Scottish Lib Dem Leader, Willie

“The YouthLinkconference wasa real successand helpedhighlight thegreat work youthorganisations aredoingthroughoutScotland.

Unfortunatelythere were noworld records tobe had at theomelette challengebut it was good to

come along and support the event. I was slightlydisappointed that my camping stove went out halfwaythrough the challenge but even so I don’t think JamesMartin needs to worry about his job just yet”.

Murdo Fraser Conservative MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife

“The ‘Wild in thePark’ event broughttogether somebrilliantorganisations fromthe youth worksector in the firstoutdoor receptionof its kind. Thesuccess of the eventshowed strongsupport foroutdoor learning inScotland, but weneed furtherinvestment in

outdoor learning to bring togethermore young people in healthy, educational activities whichbenefit our communities. I hope this is the first of manyoutdoor receptions at Holyrood”.

Alison Johnstone Green MSP for the Lothians

“Everyone’s fondest memories of their childhoodinvolve running around outside with pals, climbingthings, and getting muddy. It’s an important part oflearning and development, so I’m delighted to seeYouthLink Scotland and partners involved in ‘Wild inthe Park’ encourage and support outdoor learning for

young people”. Kezia Dugdale Labour MSP for the Lothians

“I was delighted to attend ‘Wild in the Park’. It was agreat opportunity to catch up with Stramash and theIona Community. Both do an outstanding job in theconstituency and their presence undoubtedly broughtexperience and knowledge to the wider network ofoutdoor learning organisations in attendance”.

Mike Russell MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Education

“I had a fantastic time at Wild in the Park. As well asbeing really enjoyable for everyone involved, the eventprovided a great platform to generate awareness of thecommendable activities of the youth work sector as awhole. I am personally a big fan of the outdoors and I amkeen to promote the opportunities that outdoor activitiescan present for enhanced learning for Scotland’syoungsters”.

David Torrance SNP MSP for Kirkcaldy

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1 Young People’s Minister, AileenCampbell MSP shows hersupport for the sector.

2 YouthLink Scotland CEO, JimSweeney indulges in a spot ofwild cooking.

3 Our compere, actor AndyPaterson announces the TentChallenge.

4 DofE Scotland show us how tosolve a problem!

5 Historic Scotland get to gripswith medieval buildingtechniques.

6 Yes it’s a Scouts Scotland selfie!

7 Nationalist MSP, GordonMacDonald gets his kit on withOcean Youth Trust.

8 Woodcraft Folk demonstratewhat you can do with oneparachute.

9 Clare Adamson SNP MSP looksfor minibeasts with NationalTrust for Scotland.

10 Lib Dem MSP, Jim Humehanging by a thread on the AirCadets climbing wall.

11 Scottish Green leader, PatrickHarvie MSP on his bike with TheOutward Bound Trust.

12 Glasgow Kelvin SNP MSP, SandraWhite tries her hand at stone-masonery with the Prince’s Trust.

13 The SNP’s Angus MacDonaldMSP communes with MarcForrester from Pict by Nature.

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YouthLink Scotland’s editor of THE Link is very keen to receive your comments, ideas and suggestions on the magazine. For further information contact: YouthLink Scotland, Rosebery House, 9 Haymarket Terrace

Edinburgh EH12 5EZ. T: 0131 313 2488 | E: info@youthlinkscotland.org | W: www.youthlinkscotland.org

YouthLink Scotland is a Company Limited by Guarantee. Registered in Scotland No: 164547. Charity Ref: SCO03923

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If you have great examples of activities or projects which use sport to deliver youth work outcomes, please let us know or

send us a short case study for our website toinfo@youthlinkscotland.org