Spirit of Young People takes flight

Ten young people from Orkney will hop on board a specially chartered flight this week, to join peers from island communities in Shetland and Western Isles at a special Parliamentary Reception hosted by the three islands MSPs to mark Scotland’s Year of Young People.

The ten young people were selected earlier this year through a local nomination process to take part in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity developed by Shetland Islands Council in conjunction with Loganair for Scotland’s Year of Young People.

The ‘Spirit of Young People’ plane, provided by Loganair, will take young people from the three island areas to the ‘Celebrate the Spirit of Young People Parliamentary Reception’ at Holyrood, Edinburgh hosted by the islands’ MSP’s - MSP Tavish Scott, MSP Liam McArthur and MSP Alasdair Allan - on Thursday (29 November).

They young people are then taking the opportunity to attend the Young Scot Awards in Glasgow the following evening.

The young people from Orkney attending are: Ellys Gunn; Jordan Gunn; Hope Laing; Ryan Manson; Mia Bentley; Jayden Taylor; Kelsi Taylor; James MacLeod; Lorna Kemp; Massey Sanders. Lucy Leech, Orkney’s Year of Young People ‘Communic18’ Champion will also be taking part.

Orkney Islands Council’s Community Learning and Development team supported the initiative locally, including promoting the opportunity to young people and encouraging nominations from the community, as well as securing funding through the Orkney Childcare and Young People’s partnership for accommodation, educational excursions and return flights.

Kerry Spence Orkney Islands Council’s Community Learning and Development Team Leader: “We’re grateful to Loganair and colleagues in Shetland Islands Council for devising this fantastic opportunity for young people in the county to meet their peers from Scotland’s other island communities.

“It’s a highly valuable chance for them to learn about challenges young people are facing elsewhere, to have their good work recognised and applauded by our national politicians, and to gain a greater understanding of youth work on a national scale and the workings of the Scottish Parliament - and how these link into their own ambitions and achievements.

“We wish them well on their trip and hope they come back with some valuable friendships and experiences they can look to in the future.”