Youth projects shortlisted for awards

YOUTH work projects supported by the Church of Scotland have been shortlisted for a range of top awards.

YouthLink Scotland is celebrating the efforts of around 80,000 youth workers across the country at an annual ceremony in Glasgow’s Crowne Plaza Hotel on March 13.

Nominees include Faith in Arts worker, Ben Raw, who has been recognised in the Faith Based Youth Work category.

He is attached to St Paul’s Church in Provanmill, Glasgow, which has a grant from the Kirk’s Go For It fund and is also a Priority Area. The St Paul’s Youth Forum includes a number of clubs and programmes based around exercise, eating and education which improve the conditions of life for young people in the area and alleviate the effects of poverty. It has been credited with slashing the rates of youth crime in the area.

Mr Raw described the recognition as ‘an honour’.

“In our work we have found that when young people are given the chance and confidence to explore Faith, starting with what is relevant to their lives, that young people are not only engaged but prophetic,” he said.

Bolt FM, which is also associated with St Paul’s Youth Forum, is up for the Digital Youth Work Award.

Founded in 2001, the radio station is run by young people and has provided opportunities such as exchanges to Zambia and the chance to meet and interview MPs and MSPs.

St Rufus Youth Group, which is based in Keith in Moray, has also been nominated in the same category.

The Rev Sonia Palmer, interim moderator of Kirk of Keith: St Rufus, Botriphnie and Grange, said: “This is a vibrant parish with so much going on.

“For its youth group to get singled out for a national award is an incredible achievement and speaks volumes for the enthusiasm of the young people who attend and the commitment of their leaders.”

Several of those nominated have previously been funded through the Church of Scotland’s Go For It fund including the Elgin Youth Café Team, Rebekah Aitken at Possibilities for Each and Every Kid (PEEK) and Eilaine Coffey at the Hot Chocolate Trust in Dundee.

Suzi Farrant, the Church of Scotland’s Young People and Young Adults Development Worker, said: “The Year of Young People provided the Church an opportunity to foster a renewed focus on children and young people in our churches and communities and it is great to see some of that work being recognised in a wider sphere.

“We all have a lot to learn from these projects as we seek to put our ‘Aspirations for ministry with children and young people’ into practice.”

The Priority Areas scheme provides support for the 64 parishes in the top 5% in the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation, scoring worst on statistics for health, education, employment and crime. ¤

The Go For It fund provides grants for church projects which develop the life and mission of the local church in the community. For more information visit http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/serve/go_for_it