Pupils from local secondary schools have been responsible for raising much-needed awareness and funds for a range of social issues impacting their local community.
An entire year group at each of the participating schools took part in The Wood Foundation’s Youth and Philanthropy Initiative (YPI). Working in teams, young people chose a prominent social issue to focus on such as mental health, disability or domestic violence, before researching and choosing a local charity addressing this issue. Each team then developed presentations focused on their chosen charity, combining a business case centered on why their chosen organsiation should receive a £3000 charitable award. The strongest teams from each school are then progressed to a school final where they present to a judging panel with one team securing £3000 for the charity.
This unique active citizenship programme is one of the biggest independent initiatives in Scottish education, with more than 70% of schools taking part. Last year, £735,000 was granted to grassroots, social services charities championed by young people with more than 30,000 taking part in the programme.
Jonathan Christie, Deputy UK Director at The Wood Foundation, said:
“It is wonderful that YPI is having such an incredible impact locally. Engaging young people with their communities and empowering them with the skills and platform to make a difference is vitally important as we develop the active citizens of today and the future.
“Congratulations to the young people in the local area who achieved so much last year for the region’s incredibly worthwhile charities. We hope their experiences act as a catalyst to continue their philanthropy and we look forward to seeing what this year’s young philanthropists will achieve un the area.”
Total amount granted in your region: £15,000
Top three issues represented at YPI finals in your area
Mental health, social inclusion and disability
Local schools and the charities they secured funding for:
| Aberlour Futures | Annan Academy |
| Buddies | Dumfries Academy |
| Turning Point | Dumfries High School |
| SHAX | Lockerbie Academy |
| Moffat Town Hall Redevelopment Trust | Moffat Academy |
