‘Youngwummin’ project to uncover forgotten Scottish heroines of World War One

NEWS RELEASE – For immediate release - Thursday 1 February 2018

To mark 100 years since the end of World War One, a new heritage project with young researchers will uncover Scotland’s WW1 heroines and explore women’s rights past and present.

As part of Year of Young People 2018 and the centenary of WW1, the project, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) in Scotland, will provide young people with an opportunity to explore women’s history and support them to conduct research on the impact of WW1 on young women in Scotland.

Five youth projects across the country will use their historical detective powers to seek out the incredible Scottish women who helped win the war, but who also paved the way for women’s right to equality.

Young researchers in Dumfries have already uncovered the unusual and life-saving tale of Sphagnum Moss Works. During the war Dumfriesshire was at the forefront of supplying wound dressings for field hospitals by using moss from the surrounding hills, all organised and run by local women. Eskdale alone contributed over 70,000 dressings for wounded soldiers.

As part of the Youngwummin research project, YouthLink Scotland is launching a nationwide search to uncover women during WW1 who helped the war effort. Every community in Scotland will have local heroines who have not yet been recognised. So help us celebrate their legacy and share your stories and photos with us on

The project will work in partnership with the National Library of Scotland, who will train youth workers in heritage skills and also host the Youngwummin exhibition during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Amy Goulding, Youngwummin Project Lead at YouthLink Scotland believes 2018 is a great year to celebrate women past and present:

“This project builds on the highly successful ‘Scotswummin’ project last year, which unearthed so many amazing but overlooked women, women who helped build our nation. It’s Year of Young People, so I cannot think of a more fitting time to explore the impact of WW1 on young women and to look at the issues they faced, and how they still resonate with our young woman, 100 years on.”

Youth Worker, Cara Hyles from Oasis Youth Centre in Dumfries said:

“It has been great so far to get to know other youth workers from across Scotland and start work on an exciting national led project. It’s important to give young people exciting and innovative opportunities for them to learn and develop. We hope to achieve an exhibition that is fully created from the young people’s findings and hard work over the next few months.”

Youth Worker, Aaron Stewart from Yipworld in Cumnock said: “This is a great piece of work to be involved in and will be really fun. It will be a great challenge to find out how WW1 has affected so many lives of Scottish women. It is also good to see the young people learn about what life was like as a woman back in WW1. I am sure it will give them a sense of achievement to see how far women’s rights have progressed.”

Angie Harvey, aged 23 from the Dumfries research groupsaid she was really excited to be part of this national project:

“Our group in Dumfries is going to be looking into family life after the war, the development of social work,and one topic that we are all really keen to explore and develop, is the suffragette movement. It has been great so far and looking forward to learning more as time goes on.”

Lucy Casot, Head of HLF Scotland, said:

“The impact of the First World War was far reaching, touching every corner of the UK. Since April 2010, the Heritage Lottery Fund has awarded over £70million to more than 1,300 projects – large and small - that are marking this global Centenary. With our small grants programme, we are enabling even more communities like those involved in Youngwummin – Young heritage researchers exploring the impact of WW1 on young women in Scotland, to explore the continuing legacy of this conflict and help local young people in particular to broaden their understanding of how it has shaped our modern world.”

Ends.

For interview and media enquiries contact Sarah Paterson, Senior Public Affairs, Media and Communications at YouthLink Scotland on 07804 603762 or 0131 313 2488 and at

Notes to editors

Information about Heritage Lottery

Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) aims to make a lasting difference for heritage, people and communities across the UK and help build a resilient heritage economy. From museums, parks and historic places to archaeology, natural environment and cultural traditions, we invest in every part of our diverse heritage.

Information about Youngwummin

  • YouthLink Scotland in partnership with the National Library of Scotland has been awarded a grant of £66,700to deliver youth-led heritage research into the role of women during World War One and the progression of women’s rights since 1918.
  • 10 youth workers will receive training from YouthLink Scotland and the National Library of Scotland on developing youth work skills, youth-led research, and heritage, curating and exhibiting skills. These skills will then be used to support around 40 young people to conduct research on influential women in their communities.
  • The youth groups include:East Dunbartonshire Council; Yipworld from East Ayrshire; Shaper/Caper in Dundee; Dumfries and Galloway Council and Stirling Council
  • Young people will also be supported to work towards the Participative Democracy Certificate (SCQF level 5) to recognise and credit young people’s participation in the project.
  • The final report and exhibition will be launched in June 2018, hosted by the National Library of Scotland in Edinburgh.

Information about YouthLink Scotland

  • YouthLink Scotland is the national agency for youth work. It is the voice of the youth work sector in Scotland.
  • It is a membership organisation and is in the unique position of representing the interests and aspirations of the whole of the sector both voluntary and statutory.
  • YouthLink Scotland champions the role and value of the youth work sector, challenging government at national and local levels to invest in the development of the sector.
  • YouthLink Scotland represents over 100 organisations, including the 32 Local Authority Youth Work Services and all major national voluntary youth work organisations, which support over 300,000 young people in achieving their potential.
  • YouthLink Scotland promotes a positive image of Scotland’s young people and seeks to promote their value to communities and society.