This year’s Youth Work Week was celebrated with a series of events highlighting the positive work happening with young people across the Western Isles.
Co-ordinated by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar’s Community Learning and Development team, young people took part in consultations, fun activities and information sessions with a wide range of youth work partners.
Erica Clark, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar CLD Officer said:
“Youth Work Week is a great opportunity to showcase the fantastic youth work which happens year-round across the islands. There are so many organisations involved in youth work and this week we’ve been able to celebrate this.”
In Harris, CLD Officer Mairi Maciver co-ordinated a drop-in event at Sir E Scott school where young people had their say on local issues, chatted with the Harris Forum and Comunn na Gàidhlig and met with local councillor, Kenny Macleod.
Commenting on the event Mairi said:
“In small island communities we are good at working in partnership. When it comes to youth work, it is vital to work collaboratively to provide the best services we can for island young people.”
Member of the Scottish Youth Parliament, Ellie Denehy, ran an event in Castlebay School with CLD where she launched a survey consulting on island life from young people’s perspective. There was lots of discussion on transport, their island and the environment. Ellie would like to thank Castlebay School for supporting this event and all the young people who took part.
Youth Work Week culminated with a pop-up event at Stornoway Town Hall, where young people and families were invited along to find out about the range of opportunities available on the islands. With everything from youth voice, employment and volunteering to the ever-popular Disco Dome and a ‘Refresher Station’ run by the Lewis Youth Council, the event was a fun way to bring lots of organisations together and provide information to local young people.
Erica Clark continued:
“We would like to thank all of the partners who took part in this year’s Youth Work Week events celebrating the power of youth work. There is so much positive work happening across the islands and it’s great to celebrate this and highlight opportunities for young people.”
For more information on youth work activities, contact youngscot@cne-siar.gov.uk