A dedicated youth charity is in the running for two awards in recognition of supporting young people throughout the pandemic.
Girvan Youth Trust (GYT) has been nominated for ‘community youth work project of the year’ and the ‘national skills and achievement award’ at this year’s national youth work awards.
The awards celebrate the incredible youth work across the country and the vital role that Scotland’s 70,000 youth work volunteers and staff play in the lives of young people.
As the only youth work provider in the Carrick area, GYT is considered at the heart of its local community – and never was this service more needed than during the pandemic.
Selfless youth workers spent Christmas Eve delivering festive goodie bags to over 250 youngsters and their families to ensure they had the best day possible.
GYT also created a bespoke positive pathways project for vulnerable school leavers – a partnership with Girvan Academy, CLD, Ayrshire College and Skills Development Scotland – to introduce them to the different routes open, and develop employability skills and confidence.
And due to this bridging project, feedback from those involved said they felt more confident about their future path in life.
GYT will attend a special awards dinner on Wednesday, June 1 at Glasgow’s DoubleTree Hilton, which is hosted by BAFTA award-winning actress Jane McCarry, aka ‘Isa’ from Still Game, and Jamie Hepburn MSP, Scotland’s higher education and youth work minister.
Tim Frew, CEO of YouthLink Scotland, said: “Youth work is one of our great national assets. The positive impact that youth work has on young people and society has been proven time and time again.
“We are coming through a very challenging pandemic, where youth workers across Scotland and in particular, in Girvan, have supported so many young people through this difficult period.
“These awards are a great opportunity to celebrate the incredible contribution of all our youth workers.”
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