Politicians are asked to act by East Ren youth

Young people from East Renfrewshire have been delivering a national call to action to local politicians.

In a Holyrood manifesto launch with young people at the heart of it, Scotland’s National youth work agency, YouthLink Scotland has called for further investment in the youth work sector as part of the drive to close the educational attainment gap.

Hundreds of young people from youth work projects and organisations across the country have been meeting their local MSPs and MPs and telling their own stories about the benefit of youth work.

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Paul Tulloch Duke of Edinburgh award manager for East Renfrewshire and local youngster, Rachel Bell met with East Renfrewshire MP Kirsten Oswald.

Rachel has participated in the Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) Award scheme for the last two years. In that time she has completed her Bronze award and is about to complete her Silver Award.

Rachel also volunteers with an additional support needs group as part of her volunteering section of the Award.

Paul Tulloch praised Rachel’s enthusiasm and her community spirit: “In her time with the DofE Rachel’s confidence, teamwork, empathy and commitment to the award has been fantastic and we were delighted to share her story of youth work success with one of our local politicians” he said.

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Chief Executive of YouthLink Scotland, Jim Sweeney said: “Our biggest asset is the young people we work with and I am delighted that so many young people have had the opportunity to deliver their own personal youth work story to their local politicians. We need to, each one of us, do all in our power to make sure youth work is valued and properly funded in every local area as youth work really does change lives.”

Closing the educational attainment gap is a key political priority, the youth work sector works with around 380,000 young people each week and has a key and valuable contribution to make, by supporting young people to learn and achieve in non-formal spaces and times.