Highland youth work champion celebrated at national awards

21st March 2013

12 outstanding individuals and organisations have been recognised as winners at the National Youth Worker of the Year Awards 2013. High Life Highland were celebrated at the National Awards and recognised for their work with young people. Isobel Gray picked up the award for Part-time Youth Worker of the Year for her work with the Duke of Edinburgh Awards scheme in the local area.

High Life Highland develops and promotes opportunities in culture, learning, sport, leisure, health and wellbeing.

Isobel Gray has brought a dedicated and inspirational approach to her work for HighLife Highland and through her role as a Duke of Edinburgh Awards Development Officer. She has been at the forefront of ensuring that more young people have access to the Awards Scheme. Her expertise and enthusiasm makes her invaluable to the Highlands DofE team and her support goes well beyond the paid role she has.

Isobel Gray said she was quite humbled to have won the award: �This award means a lot to me, it means an awful lot to us all. I think it is fantastic that all the young people we work with can share the recognition this award gives us. We have made a determined effort in Highland to ensure that any young person that wants to the award can do it. The recognition for this award should also go to all the volunteers, youth workers and other staff that make the award happen in Highland�

The winners from across Scotland have all shown outstanding passion for changing the lives of young people for the better. From young volunteers who have overcome challenging personal circumstances to mentor and support their peers to innovative projects that have brought young people together with a shared love of music.

The Awards which are now in their sixth year were organised by YouthLink Scotland and took place at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Glasgow on Thursday 14 March 2013. Almost 300 youth workers, managers, sponsors and invited guests attended the event hosted by Forth One DJ, Grant Stott. The Minister for Children and Young People, Aileen Campbell MSP, also attended and addressed the event.

Commenting on the Awards, Jim Sweeney, Chief Executive of YouthLink Scotland said: �Once again the National Youth Worker of the Year Awards has given us glowing examples of selfless commitment to the cause of our young people. This year a youth led and youth inspiring project swept the boards with winners in three categories. This success for Erskine Music and Media Project is testament to the quality of support given by Renfrewshire Council staff. Well done to everyone and to all the winners.

Youth Work is one of the few vocations that has people from 16 to 80 years old involved as leaders and volunteers to PhD� holders all working towards helping young people grow and develop their skills. It was great to see so many of these folk honoured in a very special way at YouthLink Scotland�s Annual Awards."

The Minster for Children and Young People, Aileen Campbell, added: �Youth work plays a highly valuable role in improving the lives of our children and young people and makes a significant contribution to our aim of making Scotland the best place in the world to grow up.

�In all that Government is doing to strengthen services for children and young people, we recognise and value those dedicated youth workers and volunteers who are helping our young people to be successful, confident, effective and responsible individuals.�

Nominations for the Awards were open to voluntary and charitable organisations, community bodies, public sector organisations and private organisations.

All work entered into the categories must have taken place in Scotland and the finalists and winners were decided upon by a panel of youth work representatives and sponsors from across Scotland.