Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Youth Work Team won two awards at the National Youth Work Awards 2018.
Youth Worker Gayle Finlay from Dumfries was named Scotland’s Youth Worker of the Year 2018 for her work to provide extra support to young people who suffered the loss of a friend through suicide.
The team at the Youth Enquiry Service won the accolade of Team of the Year for their work on the Feeling S**t Survival Kit.
The Feeling S**t Survival Kit, developed in partnership with young people, started as a care package for one young person transformed into a high-profile funded project delivering 1,000 survival kits to local young people.
The team is now working with LGBT Youth Scotland, Quarriers and Dumfries and Galloway CAMHS to make sure every young person in the region has a survival kit to help when times are tough and access to long-term, sustainable mental health support.
After receiving her award from Deputy First Minister and Education Secretary John Swinney, Gayle said: “It was such a shock to receive the nomination and I couldn’t believe it when my name was called on the night. It’s so special to be recognised for all the time and energy we give to young people, not only me but as part of the Youth Enquiry Service Team. Although we are a small team compared to the size of our region, we know the impact our work has on the young people we work with.”
Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Young People’s Champion, Councillor Adam Wilson, said: “This is the Year of Young People and the awards are a fantastic recognition of the talents, dedication and impact our Council’s workers have on the lives of young people in Dumfries and Galloway. The work that Gayle and the Youth Enquiry Service Team deliver are brilliant examples of youth work that literally change lives. Across our region we have a team of dedicated youth workers which is supporting young people in times of need to increase thier confidence, to follow their dreams, and realise their potential.”
The National Youth Work Awards 2018 is one of the events that celebrate Scotland’s first-ever Year of Young People. This national event, co-designed with young people, showcases their amazing talents and recognises the impact of youth workers on the lives of young people.
