Brave and bold – youths take action!
- Jan 16
- 3 min read
Updated: Jan 20
United Nations Rights of the Child, and fundraising for children with additional needs – we spotlight two Youth Social Action projects that are transforming communities.
Our Youth Social Action (YSA) programmes are all about young people making changes in their communities – and these Inverness and Alness groups decided to go for bold.
Family, friends, teachers, trustees, and funders were able to see the impact of their 16 weeks of hard work at an inspiring showcase held at Eden Court in Inverness.
It was a celebration not just of completed projects, but of growth, leadership, and collaboration. As one attendee said, 'We were blown away by the enthusiasm and dedication these young people have shown to their community projects.'
Take a look at their projects:
Inverness Youth Social Action Group: Raising Awareness of Young People’s Rights
The Inverness group was the largest Growing2gether has ever supported, with 16 vibrant young people. They focused their project on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), Section 29: Education for All.
Building on previous discussions and consultations, the group dove deep into human rights and explored the UNCRC’s journey from ratification to becoming Scottish law in July 2024. For some, this was brand new territory; for others, it built on their school experiences.
Through open discussions and collaborative learning, the group honed in on Section 29, which guarantees access to education. Along the way, six young leaders emerged, stepping up with confidence to take on roles such as supporting communication needs, helping with group work, and even co-facilitating activities.
A special highlight was the involvement of a Young Facilitator, Lorelei, who began her journey in Growing2gether’s nursery programme back in 2019 and has now helped run four YSA projects. This thread of long-term support and growth speaks volumes.
The group didn’t stop at discussion, they reached out to local leaders, including the Highland Council Leader, Youth Parliament Convenor, school staff, and mental health leads. With the Youth Parliament Convenor stepping in as their Community Mentor, the group gained insight and guidance that shaped the depth and accuracy of their final project.
Alness Youth Social Action Group: Fundraising with Heart for St Clements School
Over in Alness, the 13-strong YSA group also focused on education. Many had previously worked on a project about community violence; this time they chose fundraising for St Clements , a local school supporting children with additional needs.
The idea grew from an emotional presentation given by a quieter member of the group – a young man who had seldom spoken up before. His heartfelt plea resonated with his peers and set the wheels in motion for a Christmas fundraising event that would bring the whole community together.
The project included:
A festive Santa’s grotto and raffle
Community outreach in Morrisons’ foyer
A GoFundMe campaign, promoted with QR codes and media buzz
Handmade crafts created by both St Clements students and YSA participants
Raffle prizes donated by local businesses and food from the Co-op.
The result? A full day of holiday cheer that raised £400 for the school and brought hundreds of people out in support. Even more important than the money, was the wave of visibility and community spirit it created.
First published May 2025
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