A group of 5th year students from The Nicolson Institute have secured a grant of £3000 for Crossroads through the Youth and Philanthropy Initiative (YPI).
This year’s winning group were Ava Mackenzie, Eva Macinnes, Emma James, Mairi Anna Reid, Beth Macdonald and Maisi Morrison. Their presentation on the work of Crossroads and the challenges faced by carers impressed the judges, securing £3000 for the charity.
The judges were Agnes Rennie Chair of The Galson Estate Trust, Rhona Gallagher DYW Coordinator for the Outer Hebrides, Cllr Donald Macsween Chair of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar’s Sgioba na Gaidhlig and Donald John McCarthy who was a member of the group who won £3000 for Alzheimer’s Scotland last year.
YPI is an active citizenship programme which empowers young people to make a difference in their community about causes which they care about deeply. Through a unique programme of teamwork, research and competition, an entire year group takes part and just one team is chosen to secure the grant.
Ava Mackenzie from the group, said:
“The service Crossroads gives to people is truly exceptional and they do not receive the attention and praise for their hard work as often as they should. They aim to support carers at home when times can be exhausting, or isolating, which means a lot to us as we can see how many people’s lives are taken over by caring for family in our island community”
The other finalists made presentations on the work of Safe Families Western Isles, The Leanne Fund, Action for Children, Bethesda, The Shed, Advocacy and Western Isles Cancer Care Initiative.
Jennifer Cairns, Rector of The Nicolson Institute said:
“We are hugely proud of all the pupils who participated in YPI this year, all their presentations showed passion and commitment to the work of their chosen charities.”
Richard Fraser, Principal Teacher RMPS & Music at The Nicolson Institute, said:
“YPI is an important cornerstone in the partnership of the school and the community, giving our young people an opportunity to learn about the issues impacting our islands and how the voluntary sector gives support.”
YPI is the flagship initiative of The Wood Foundation. Its UK Director Ali MacLachlan said: “Congratulations to the girls from The Nicolson Institute’s winning team for securing funds for Crossroads. YPI is all about empowering and engaging young people to understand their role within their community and the ways in which they can make a difference while developing their own skills.”
More than 290 schools in Scotland have committed to delivering YPI this academic year. Since it was launched in Scotland by The Wood Foundation in 2008 it has empowered more than 350,000 young people to make a difference in their communities, granting £7.6m to local charities addressing a range of social issues.
