Celebrating youth voice at Reach 2024

Generation CashBack’s sixth Reach event builds confidence and connections for young people

A young person holds up a large page with drawings and post-it notes.

Youth-led Reach event spotlights the power of young people and youth action

On 9 March 2024, more than 100 young people and youth workers from the Generation CashBack consortium (made up of Girlguiding Scotland, Scouts Scotland, The Boys’ Brigade Scotland and Youth Scotland) came together for this year’s youth-led Reach event in Glasgow.   

Co-created and co-delivered by our panel of Young Advisors, the ‘Reach for Your Voice’ event was designed to help young people build their confidence, make new friends and feel empowered to speak up for the things they care about. 

On the day, Reach delegates had the chance to hear from some incredible guest speakers and dive into workshops on emotional wellbeing, active fun, team-building challenges, mental health-themed arts & crafts and STEM-themed decision-making. 

‘We’ve created these workshops to help you find your voice!’ Young Advisors announced as they welcomed delegates in the opening plenary. 

Young people and a youth worker stand in a circle of foam as a bottle rocket explodes on the pavement.
Young people test their bottle rockets in the STEM and Decision-making workshop

The event was also attended by Minister for Victims and Community Safety Siobhian Brown, who tried her hand at some DIY in the wellbeing workshop, blowing bubbles, making stress balloons and talking with several young people about their youth work experiences. 

At the day’s closing ceremonies, the Minister addressed the crowd of delegates and shared some of the ‘lifelong memories’ she has from her time as a Girl Guide growing up in Australia. She also reflected on how she uses her voice in her work with the Scottish Government and celebrated the power of the event.

 

There’s so much to learn from experiences like today when groups come together, connect and share ideas.

Minister for Victims and Community Safety Siobhian Brown
Minister for Victims and Community Safety Siobhian Brown addresses delegates.
Minister for Victims and Community Safety Siobhian Brown speaks to Reach 2024 delegates

Youth Scotland CE Mike Strang, who also spoke, emphasised the impact that young people can have and encouraged delegates to share their thoughts and experiences with decision-makers. 

‘Stand up, speak and people will listen. It’s your future and it’s our job as society to help you make change.’ 

At the end of this inspiring day, delegates parted ways with new skills, new knowledge, new friendships and nearly 100 accredited Hi5 Awards earned in recognition of their achievements at the event.

‘It was so amazing! I want to do it all again!’ — Reach Young Advisor

For editors: 

About Youth Scotland:

We are the largest national youth work organisation in Scotland, supporting 97,018 young people, 1,999 youth groups and over 10,775 youth workers. Youth Scotland has been around since the early 20th century and has a diverse membership network – from small rural youth groups to large urban projects. The common goal that we all share is better outcomes for young people. 

Our membership network is made up of local youth groups of all sizes, Area Associations and Youth Scotland staff who can provide support and training on a range of youth work topics. We are proud of the varied, universal youth work our network delivers and the innovative solutions our members create in an ever-changing youth work landscape.  

About Generation CashBack :

Generation CashBack is a CashBack for Communities project delivered by a consortium of Youth Scotland, Scouts Scotland, Girlguiding Scotland and The Boys’ Brigade, funded by Scottish Government. It centres around two main strands of project delivery (‘Grow’ and ‘Lead’) and aims to ensure that young people from areas of deprivation and those experiencing disadvantage can benefit from high-quality community-based youth work opportunities. Generation CashBack continues to be funded in Phase 6, from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2026.