Youth Sector Recognises the Value of Youth Workers from Across Scotland

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 27 February 2014

Youth sector recognises the value of youth workers from across Scotland

Thirty three youth projects and individuals from across Scotland have been shortlisted for the National Youth Worker of the Year Awards 2014. Three finalists have been shortlisted in each of the 11 categories from across Scotland.

The Awards, run by YouthLink Scotland, recognise and celebrate outstanding achievement with young people by managers, practitioners, peer educators, teams and individuals who work within Scotland’s youth work sector.

The 7th National Youth Worker of the Year Awards will be an outstanding showcase of the remarkable work that is being done right across the Scotland.

Commenting, Jim Sweeney, Chief Executive of YouthLink Scotland, said:

“This year’s finalists demonstrate the breadth of youth work in Scotland and it’s fantastic to see such a range of youth workers and projects that have been shortlisted. It’s encouraging to see the enthusiasm and dedication that youth workers and volunteers demonstrate in their work with young people. The work they do is preventative in nature and supports young people to develop the skills and knowledge to make the best choices for their health and wellbeing.

“Investing in young people is critical to the economic success of Scotland. The Awards are an excellent opportunity to recognise the positive contribution that youth work makes to individuals and communities across the country. I know that this contribution is valued by Scottish Government and I would like to take this opportunity to thank our loyal sponsors for their continued commitment.”

The winners will be announced and presented with their award at the National Youth Worker of the Year Awards Dinner in Glasgow’s Crowne Plaza Hotel on Thursday 13 March 2014. The event will be hosted by broadcaster and Forth One DJ, Grant Stott and the awards presented by Scotland’s Minister for Children and Young People, Aileen Campbell MSP.

The categories and the shortlisted finalists for the National Youth Worker of the Year Awards 2014, in no particular order, are:

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Youth Worker of the Year (Full-time or full-time equivalent)

·  Gary Kirkpatrick, Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, Dumfries and Galloway Council

·  Kelly Ross, Oasis Youth Centre, Dumfries and Galloway Council

·  Suzanne Heggie, Kirkcaldy YMCA, Fife

Youth Worker of the Year (Sessional paid/part time)

·  Nicholas Kelly, Broadford Youth Club, Isle of Skye

·  Shona Cormack, Granton Youth Centre/North Edinburgh Streetwork, Edinburgh

·  Katie Denehy, Castlebay Community School, Isle of Barra

Volunteer of the Year

·  Thomas Wotherspoon, Fuse Youth Café, Glasgow

·  Louie Pastore, Action for Children/Larkfield Link Up, Greenock

·  Craig Boyd, Flavours of Fife, LGBT Youth Scotland

Innovative Practice – Team of the Year

·  YouthBorders, Scottish Borders

·  Perth and District YMCA Social Impact Bond

·  The Prince’s Trust ‘Making it at MAKLab’, Glasgow

Youth Worker of the Year (Uniformed Organisations)

·  Hugh Barras, Clyde North Sea Cadets, West Lothian

·  John Bowman, Peterhead Sea Cadet Unit, Banff and Buchan

·  Colin Weir, The Boys’ Brigade, Motherwell

Youth Worker of the Year (Intergenerational)

·  Linda Cook, Alyth Youth Partnership, Perthshire

·  Yvonne Boa, Ullapool High School, Highland

·  Dawn Mullady, Pitstop Youth Project, Forfar

Peer Educator of the Year

·  Thomas Guy, West Dunbartonshire Council

·  Cameron Swanson, The Paired Reading Club, Castlehead High School, Paisley

·  Zarah Bano, Taylor High School, Motherwell

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Role Model/Mentor of the Year

·  Alexander More, Bellshill Academy

·  Callum McKay, Xplore Peer Mentoring, Dundee

·  Leigh-Anne Blair, The Prince’s Trust, Glasgow

Youth Work Manager of the Year

·  Mark Molloy, Dumfries and Galloway Council

·  Paul MacFarlane, Alyth Youth Partnership, Perthshire

·  Liz Fergus, North Lanarkshire Council

Opportunities for All Trusted Professional of the Year

·  Helen Boland, Glasgow City Council

·  Fiona Weir, West Lothian Council

·  Margorie Harvie, East Ayrshire Council

Agencies and Partners Organisations Worker of the Year

·  Mark McCabe, Access to Industry, Passport Project, HMYOI Polmont

·  Zara McDowell, Police Scotland, East Lothian

·  Michelle Doherty, Youth Enterprise Zone, Glasgow

Lifetime Achievement Award (Fellowship of YouthLink Scotland)

·  To be announced on the night

Overall Winner

·  To be announced on the night

Ends

For media enquiries and further information please contact Sarah Paterson, Public Affairs, Media and Communications for YouthLink Scotland on 07741 208625 or 0131 313 2488 or

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Notes to Editors:

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.

Award Sponsors

·  Scottish Fire & Rescue

·  YouthLink Scotland

·  Young Scot

·  CLD Standards Council for Scotland

·  Generations Working Together

·  Scottish Government

·  Scottish Community Safety Network

·  SQA

·  Education Scotland

·  DofE Scotland

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