CASE STUDY
In Ross-shire in the Scottish Highlands it’s been a busy time at Tain YMCA with a number of awards recently being completed by young people. In fact, since 2022, 53 young people achieve their first ever Hi-5 Awards, and 43 young people complete their first ever Dynamic Youth Awards. WOW! They also have 3 young people currently working towards their Bronze YAA.
Kats, the Awards Co-Ordinator at Tain YMCA has been busier than usual with the Holiday Club offering a variety of activities while also supporting the young people to complete their awards.
Young people come along on different days of the week and have been participating in holiday clubs.
We have also had several secondary-aged youths (our fabulous Youth Leaders) who have assisted in our clubs and taken charge of different stations (whether it be baking, arts and crafts or games) and as part of that they have been able to complete a Dynamic Youth Award.
One of our Youth Leaders also assisted with the Hi-5 Awards being completed. She worked individually with each child and guided them through writing up their reports. It was lovely seeing her working with the children and seeing her come to the realisation that it is a role that she wants to pursue when leaving school. For me it was lovely to see the young people being guided through their Hi-5 Awards by youth who were also working through and achieving their own Dynamic Youth Awards.
Holiday Club has been nothing but a positive experience for our leaders but also the young people. It really is a win-win situation with everyone not only having FUN but also learning along the way.
Completing the awards has been a really positive experience at Tain YMCA. The young people thoroughly enjoyed all of the activities on offer, and they all discovered that they were good at something- whether it be baking, being creative, being sporty, or being good at circus skills.
They also discovered that not everyone has the same skills, not everyone likes the same things, some people struggle in social situations…. But that you can help others with something that they lack confidence in. Friendships have been formed along the way – not only between the young people but also between the youth workers and the young people. It’s been great to see. We can’t wait to hear more from Tain YMCA as they head into their next summer programme for 2023. Congratulations on your awards!
“Oh my goodness, I cannot believe that you are putting my child through an accredited qualification at such a young age…. thank you so much for all your hard work!”
Parent
“We have so many incredible young people in our communities. Kats Macleod and her small team work tirelessly for those in the Tain area, tailoring awards programmes and volunteering opportunities which equip them with life skills, confidence and experiences which will give them a head start in life. I just wish there were more people who could give such amazing opportunities to more of our young people."
Joanie Whiteford, Lord Lieutenant of Ross and Cromarty
Tain and North Highland YMCA SCO
Since 2022, 53 young people have achieved their first ever Hi-5 Awards, and 43 young people complete their first ever Dynamic Youth Awards. WOW! They also have 3 young people currently working towards their Bronze YAA.
Take the Plunge! Search our database of awards to find out more about what's offered by our Awards Network members
