Volunteer Academy Engagement - North Highlands

New Term, New Opportunities for Young People

With the start of the new school year, it has been a busy few weeks for the Volunteer Academy with lots of opportunities to connect with young people across the Highlands and explore the different ways they can participate in and contribute to their communities.

Youth and Philanthropy Initiative (YPI)

We have been supporting schools taking part in the Youth and Philanthropy Initiative (YPI), which gives young people the opportunity to explore social issues that matter to them, learn more about charities working in their communities and develop skills in research, teamwork and advocacy.

We attended Invergordon Academy’s S2 YPI Charity Fair, where pupils had the opportunity to meet local charities and begin thinking about the issues and organisations they might want to explore further. We also joined Kinlochbervie High School’s Charity Fair online, helping pupils learn more about YPI and the voluntary organisations working across their communities.

As pupils progress through YPI, they will research and represent a charity before making the case for their chosen organisation, with the opportunity to secure a £3,000 grant at their school’s YPI Final.

Highland Youth Parliament

In September, the Volunteer Academy also attended the Highland Youth Parliament Conference at Eden Court, speaking with young people about volunteering and the opportunities available to get involved in their communities.

The conference brought together 120 young people from across Highland, alongside youth and education staff and partner organisations, giving young people an opportunity to discuss the issues that matter to them and help shape the Highland Youth Parliament Manifesto.

Education emerged as the main Highland-wide focus for the year, while young people also highlighted issues including health and wellbeing, employment, transport, digital safety, rural and remote living, housing and money.

It was a valuable opportunity for the Volunteer Academy to hear directly from young people about their priorities and to highlight volunteering as one of the ways they can develop skills, make connections and have a voice in their communities.

Lochview Rural Training

We were also delighted to visit Lochview Rural Training in Lairg to celebrate the opening of its new outdoor gazebo and seating area.

The gazebo was constructed by Murphy through its Employer Supported Volunteering programme, with funding received through HTSI and the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund. The new space will be used by the different groups taking part in training and activities at Lochview.

The visit was a great example of organisations working together to create something practical and lasting for the local community, while also giving us the opportunity to meet some of the young people taking part in training and hear more about the work happening at Lochview.

Together, these experiences show some of the many ways young people across Highland are getting involved, developing skills, having their voices heard and connecting with the organisations and communities around them.