A Million Hands will see the organisation work with other charities to tackle six of Scotland's biggest issues
A youth movement has pledged to join the fight to create a better world.
Scouts Scotland has announced over the next four years that young people from across the country will work with the support of charity experts to tackle six of the Scotland’s biggest social issues.
A Million Hands is a social impact project that aims to get scouts from across Scotland to take part in community action activities
A group of young people personally selected six issues of national importance that are representative of young people’s concerns. These include ending homelessness, mental wellbeing, disability, refugees and displaced children, kindness and the environment.
From October 2019, the initial focus of the campaign will be to contribute to ending homelessness. Alongside partner Crisis, scouts will build support for ending homelessness across the Scotland by having conversations for change within their community. Scouting believes that homelessness isn’t inevitable.
Campaign champion, astronaut Tim Peake, praised the latest campaigns and encouraged more scouts to get involved.
He said: “The campaign is about raising awareness across six themes. And what’s so exciting is that they’re chosen by young people themselves. Over the last one hundred years, the issues we’ve tackled have changed, but our young people’s drive to make a positive impact remains as strong as ever.”
Marc Sermanni from Inverclyde, one of the young people that selected the issues, said: “The great thing about issues that they were driven by young people. By focusing on these themes young people will be able to tackle issues within their community that they care about. Homelessness is seen is so many communities across Scotland but it’s not inevitable. I hope that by learning about homelessness not only will scouts help those directly in their community but we will help to change the conversation around homelessness and play a part in ending it for good.
Jon Sparkes, chief executive of Crisis, said: “We’re thrilled to be working with the scouts on the incredible A Million Hands project which will help us move further toward our goal of ending homelessness in Scotland.
“Right now, thousands of people across the country are living on the streets or trapped in unsuitable temporary accommodation, and that just isn't right. Just as the scouts do, we believe that in society, we have the most impact when we work together. That’s why we’re so grateful they will be helping us to ensure that one day, everyone in Scotland will have a safe and secure place to call home.”
The project will also see Scouts Scotland working with the WWF, SAMH, National Autistic Society, British Red Cross and Save the Children.
