Truth About Youth programme declared a success in battle to change people’s perceptions
A national youth information and citizenship charity has declared a success its five-year project to challenge negative perceptions of young people in Scotland.
The Truth About Youth project, run by Young Scot in partnership with the Co-operative Foundation, aimed to showcase positive stories of young people in the media and to local communities.
The project, which recently ended, has achieved noticeable recognition during its time, including passing of the Scottish Parliament’s 2011 motion which committed to supporting young people’s positive contributions to society through workshops and media partnerships.
A modern apprenticeship scheme was launched in August 2013 to provide job experiences for young people through digital media, with the Sunday Mail also launching an editorial panel in February 2014 to give young people the opportunity to have their voices heard in the media.
The Truth About Youth Pledge campaign also launched through a Twitter takeover with then First Minister Alex Salmond in March 2014. The takeover gave young people the chance to engage with the First Minister and ask questions on a number of key issues including business, employment, opportunities, education and the environment.
Louise Macdonald, chief executive of Young Scot, said: “Although the programme has finished, we are still committed to showing positivity about young people. We are in a great place just now to continue to support young people in the work they do and the contribution they make to society.
“I hope the living legacy of Truth About Youth is that more adults will continue to celebrate young people and support them as they make their way through life.”
