Orkney Youth Conference takes place in Kirkwall

The Orkney Youth Conference, organised by the Council’s Youth Services team, has brought together young people from across Orkney to take part in workshops and hear from keynote speakers on a range of issues.

The conference, which was held at the Pickaqoy Centre on Thursday (16 March) was hosted by local young person Jayden Taylor, Jayden attended the 2019 Youth Conference and has worked with the Council’s Youth Services team to carry out her Youth Achievement Awards.

The day was formally opened by Council Convener Graham Bevan, who said he welcomed the return of conference following the timeout due to the pandemic.

He continued: "I am very grateful to the Council’s Youth Services team - part of our wider Community Learning, Development and Employability service - who have organised the conference and who have attracted a host of speakers and representatives of many national youth organisations who are supporting us today.

“The conference aims to give our young people a chance to have open and constructive discussion on what can make a difference to their lives. I also hope today will stimulate discussion amongst our delegates by sharing good practice, and debating often difficult themes.”

Taking to the stage next was keynote speaker Bruce Adamson, Scotland’s Children and Young People’s Commissioner. Bruce was followed by Iain Corbett, a youth worker and community development practitioner with a wealth of experience supporting young people in Glasgow and the west of Scotland.

Closing remarks were made by Tim Frew, Chief Executive of Youth Link Scotland, which is the national agency for Youth Work in Scotland.

Workshops for the day were:

• Cost of living – with Kobi Cook, Development Worker from Youth Scotland
• Mental Health Awareness – with Claire Jennings (Project Officer) and Orla Murray (Youth Consultant) from SEE ME
• Content and creation – with Hannah Lingard, Leah Hester and Charlotte Holder, Young Scot Creative Team

A ‘Marketplace’ hosting national and local organisations gave young people the opportunity to find out more about the services that can support them now and in the future.

Cheryl Rafferty is Youth Services Manager for the Council. Speaking after the conference she said: "We had a fantastic array of workshops and speakers lined up for young people attending. Our hope is that young people have gone away inspired, informed and empowered to play an active role in achieving the change and improvements they’d like to see in our community and even at a national policy level.

“Once again a huge thank you to all who were involved in presenting and supporting the day.”

Some of the feedback received from young people include:

"It was very inclusive and gave information to people why maybe didn’t know they needed it."

"It gave good resources."

"Learnt about different issues in a fun way."