Young People across the region are getting ready for an exciting year ahead following the launch of Dumfries and Galloway’s Year of Young People at an event last Friday.
Hundreds of young people, families, schools and organisations took part in a lantern procession through Annan which was followed by live music performances and entertainment at Galabank Football Ground and culminated in a spectacular firework display to mark the official launch of Dumfries and Galloway’s ambitious calendar of events for 2018.
The region’s plan for the year ahead includes a number of National events that will see thousands of young people across Scotland come together as part of the themed year. This will include a 5 day residential in Stewartry for Scotland’s Young Leaders and Volunteers, a weekend celebration of LGBT young people that is being held in Dumfries and, for the first time, the region will host a sitting of the Scottish Youth Parliament in Stranraer.
The region’s popular annual youth music festival ‘Youthbeatz’ is celebrating its 10th anniversary during 2018 and will attract in excess of 40,000 people over a weeklong programme that includes ‘The Toon’, fringe events and a 2 day music festival.
Alongside the major signature events planned for 2018, communities across the region will benefit from a host of local opportunities designed to ensure all our young people can participate in the year.
The end of January will see the launch of a free downloadable app that has been designed to challenge young people to try new things through the creation of their own 2018 bucket list. The project is combining modern day technologies to engage young people with new and traditional opportunities and experiences to learn new skills for learning, life and work, develop confidence and broaden their aspirations.
Over the year, pop up youth events will take place across the length and breadth of Dumfries and Galloway and will include opportunities for young people to take part in fun activities including sports, the arts, science and much more.
Free transport will be provided to enable young people from Dumfries and Galloway to travel across Scotland throughout the year to take part in year of young people events in other Local Authority areas.
Action packed programmes are in place for Easter, Summer and October holidays with opportunities for young people to take part in residential, camps, outdoor activities and much more and many more initiatives will be revealed as the year progresses.
Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Year of Young People plan aims to inspire Scotland through its young people by celebrating and showcasing their achievements and culture, valuing their contribution to communities and creating new opportunities for them to shine locally, nationally and globally.
Councillor Adam Wilson, Dumfries and Galloway Council’ Champion for Young People said:
“It is great that our first event for our Council’s Year of Young People plan went off without a hitch. It was a very enjoyable event for all that attended. I was grateful to be able to set out exactly how our Council intends to use this themed year to celebrate our young people, offer opportunities and put them at the heart of decision making. I now look forward to the many activities and events that will take place in our region and across Scotland over the coming 12 months.”Hannah Birse, a member of the region’s Youth Project Team said:
“ The project team have spent the last year working in partnership with the Council and a range of other organisations to put together the plan for Dumfries and Galloway in 2018. It is exciting, ambitious and most importantly it has been designed according to what young people want! I would encourage as many people as possible to get involved in what will be a momentous year for young people in the region.”
Keep up to date with the latest local news and events for Year of Young People on our website www.yoypdg.co.uk , or via our social media pages on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat.
