YouthLink Scotland news

Youth Work Week Conference & YouthLink Scotland AGM

Diary Date – Wednesday 3 November 2010

News posted: 24-Aug-2010

The national Youth Work Week Conference and YouthLink Scotland AGM will take place in Edinburgh on Wednesday 3 November.

This conference will be a partnership event with Scottish Government, LTS, Young Scot, HMIE and the Scottish Youth Parliament around the theme of ‘Youth Voices’ which will also link into Curriculum for Excellence and pupil inclusion.

The programme will include Ministerial input, keynote speakers and round table presentations and discussions on a variety of examples of good practice associated with listening to and acting upon the views and voices of young people. The keynote address will be led by Dr Jonathan Sher, Director of Research, Policy and Programmes at Children in Scotland, which will focus on the recent research carried out by Edinburgh University on Pupil Councils in Scotland.

This conference is sponsored by Scottish Government which has enabled us to offer significantly subsidised places for our members.

• Members of YouthLink Scotland - £15.00 plus VAT (£17.63)
• Non-members - £40.00 plus VAT (£47.00)

Booking online will be available from tomorrow on the YouthLink Scotland website.

Contact: Susan Symington, Tel: 0131 313 2488 [ e-mail | Book Online ]

Members Network

Diary Date - Thursday 2 September 2010

News posted: 23-Aug-2010

The next Members Network meeting will be held on Thursday 2 September at the Golden Lion Hotel in Stirling. The varied Programme will include:

• Smoking Prevention and Youth issues – Presentations by Emma Cepok, Youth Development Officer, ASH Scotland and Emma Crawshaw, Fast Forward followed by interactive activities.
• Outdoor Learning Framework (guidance document) – contribution to Curriculum for Excellence - Chalmers Smith, Development Officer, Outdoor Learning LTS, will speak abut the document, the online resource, six regional conferences and plans for the coming year.
• Training Update – Timothy Frew, Senior Practice Development Officer, YouthLink Scotland: Input and discussion.
• Wave of Friendship – Volunteer Exchange Programme: Rebecca Dadge, VDS. A programme that supports the exchange of volunteers between Scotland and the rest of the UK.
• VSkills Programme – Alan Fowler and Louise Speedie, Volunteer Development Scotland, and volunteer Alan Lynch: An initiative developed by VDS and supported by Scottish Government to enable volunteers to gain formal qualifications for their volunteering.

Contact: Ian Hay, Tel: 0131 313 2488 [ e-mail ]

Scottish Learning Festival

Diary Date - 22 & 23 September 2010

News posted: 20-Aug-2010

YouthLink Scotland and its 18 youth work partners had a significant presence at the 2009 Scottish Learning Festival. The Youth Work Village, the seminars and discussion groups all helped to raise the profile of the sector.

The Youth Work Village was clearly visible within the hall, it was custom built and significant efforts were made to ensure appropriate fittings, publicity and promotional materials were available. An evaluation meeting of partners was held on the 26 May 2010 and the majority of partners felt that it was good value for money.

The Youth Work Sector stand is in a prime location, immediately in front of LTS. Measuring 9m X 5m, we have the opportunity to have our drop-in café and information area where we can talk to prospective partners.

Download a diagram of how the stand will look.

The theme for the stand is 'So You Think You Know About Youth Work' A website will be developed to support the theme in the coming months.

Contact: Margaret McLeod, Tel: 0131 313 2488 [ e-mail ]

VOCOG Conference

Diary Date - 7 to 8 October 2010

News posted: 16-Aug-2010

Members of VOCOG are invited to attend a 24 hour conference which will be held from lunchtime on 7 October to 8 October 2010 at the Boys' Brigade Headquarters, Carronvale House, Larbert.

Book online here.

Contact: Ian Hay, Tel: 0131 313 2488 [ e-mail ]

Sharp Solutions - Working with Young People in Tackling Issues Around Knife Crime and Violence in Scotland

Invitation to Launch on 14 September 2010

News posted: 10-Aug-2010

Sharp Solutions is a youth work toolkit developed as part of the No Knives Better Lives Youth Engagement Initiative within the Community Safety Unit at Scottish Government. The purpose of the toolkit is to support youth workers and other professionals who work with young people to raise awareness and help tackle the issues around knife crime and violence highlighting the impact this has on both the individual and the community.

The launch will be a mixture of young people presenting their experience of the toolkit as well as giving participants the opportunity to sample some of the exercises within the toolkit.

You will receive a free copy of the Sharp Solutions toolkit on the day.

Places are limited. Please get in touch to reserve your place as soon as possible.

Contact: Lisa Hogg, Tel: 0131 313 2488 [ e-mail ]

YouthBank Scotland

News posted: 5-Aug-2010

Glasgow East and Inner East End YouthBanks joined forces to develop and host the only YBUK Residential in Scotland. The young organisers, working towards Gold and Silver Youth Achievement Awards, prepared, planned and hosted the residential activities.

Forty eight young people from the UK, including young grantmakers from Essex, Ross & Cromarty and Salford all arrived at Glasgow University for 24 hours of workshops and networking. The theme of the residential was leadership and the planned workshops provided opportunity for the attendees to achieve an OCN/SCQF Leadership qualification.

Four young people from Dumfries and Galloway attended Manchester, the second YBUK residential. YBS are facilitating workshops at all three YBUK residentials, the last being Oxford.

Contact: Marc Forrester or Heather McVey, Tel: 0131 313 2488 [ e-mail | website ]