Aberdeenshire Youth Council

Well done to everyone who attended yesterday’s AYF meeting! It was great seeing all the young people from Aberdeenshire being gathered together as well as the committee leaders who are tackling the key issues in Aberdeenshire.

I’d like to invite everyone to watch the video showcasing the achievements of the Scottish youth last year

Legacy Film After Event

Our Interim Chair Evie Robertson MSYP contributed to the Members' Blog this week. Here's what she said:

"Greetings ladies, gentlemen, and young people of Aberdeenshire (and other areas). This is your brand new shiny interim chair. I have successfully managed to avoid writing a blog post for almost six months since I was first elected into the SYP, (and in turn the AYC.) But hey, there’s a first time for everything.

"Since being elected into the SYP I have: visited the Scottish Parliament to speak to members of the Equalities and Human Rights Committee, I attended the first SYP sitting, and have spoken at the recent event.

"I was recently elected as interim chair for the youth council and until my term is complete, I hope to continue the work of our previous chair Luke McLeod, and also bring the AYC forward through this transitionary period.

"I look forward to the next SYP sitting as it is a wonderful change to represent all of my constituents in Aberdeenshire East but also all young people across Scotland, and if there are any issues that you would like to be raised then please contact me via email ([email protected]) or on my twitter or on my MSYP page Evie Robertson MSYP.

"Thank you for reading my addition to the members blog, more updates soon!

"Sincerely, Your favourite interim chair
~ Evie Robertson MSYP"

Ellon Academy is hosting the regional "Global Goals and STEM Summit" on September 21st, 3-6pm in our school library (free buffet tea provided). Ellon Academy would like to invite all interested S5 and S6 pupils and secondary staff to this event.

The aim of the event is to promote DYW and Learning for Sustainability agendas through linking these to the 17 Global Goals, and in particular STEM Subjects.
There are high profile guests attending such as Sir Hugh Pennington (famous scientist) and talks/stands from "Brewgooder", MDEC, Vatenfall Wind Turbines, Aberdeen Marine Labratory, the James Hutton Institute, Aberdeen Science Centre and other STEM ambassadors.
If you are interested please email [email protected]

The Global Goals In September 2015, the United Nations are launching global goals, a series of ambitious targets to end extreme poverty and tackle climate change for everyone by 2030. Project Everyone aims to share the global goals with 7 billion people in 7 days.

In this Members' Blog post, Lauren McGill MSYP speaks about her experiences on the Youth Council and what she hopes to be involved in over the coming months.

"Hello, I hope all our constituents are enjoying their new timetable at school and the workload isn't overbearing. I'll be sharing my recent experience in the Aberdeenshire Youth Council.

I come from the fabulous Mearns Area where the tatties are top notch. I became a Member of the Aberdeenshire Youth Council after being elected as a Member of the Scottish Youth Parliament for the Angus North and Mearns constituency. When joining the council I was immediately welcomed by all the members and found a common interest of politics with them. Since April I have bonded with the members and made new friends. I have been encouraged by others and welcomed to the executive committee. I am excited to now be the executive of events and projects and look forward to pursuing our chosen campaign.

I am honoured to be a part of such an active group of young people who share a passion for the constituents of Aberdeenshire. They truly care about the voices of young people and do the best they can to represent them. I'm looking forward to being a part of the upcoming projects and contributing my ideas to the council. Recently I was involved in where Secretary Josh MacRae MSYP and I spoke of the importance of voting. We delivered a wonderful speech and encouraged the young people to participate in their local areas. We received positive feedback from those who attended and plan to speak again next year at the ABZYAP event.

I am looking forward to 2018 ‘The Year of the Young People’. The youth council will be a part of several events and we hope to work with the ambassadors chosen to represent areas in Aberdeenshire. I have high hopes for our substance misuse campaign and wish to address the issues in Aberdeenshire.

I am eager to continue the hard work in the Aberdeenshire Youth Council and hope to be a successful advocate for the people of Aberdeenshire. I would like to mention my colleagues Luke McLeod and Anna Cameron who stood before me in the council. I admire their dedication within Aberdeenshire Youth Council and wish them success in the future.
Thank you for taking the time to read my blog. I hope you all enjoy the tattie holidays."

In this week's Members' Blog post, Secretary Josh MacRae MSYP reflects on recent goings-on within the Youth Council, in this post entitled 'New Beginnings'.

"From the outset, I would like to thank Luke McLeod and Anna Cameron for their work on the Youth Council and for their services to young people across Aberdeenshire. Combined, they served on the Youth Council for over a decade, latterly as Chair and Vice-Chair, respectively. At the most recent meeting of the Youth Council, a formal motion of thanks to both Luke and Anna was moved and approved unanimously. As the most senior Member, I chaired part of the meeting before my Aberdeenshire East colleague, Evie Robertson MSYP, was elected ultimately as Interim Chair. I look forward to working with her in her new role to ensure a smooth transition during the upcoming structural changes.

"Since the last Members’ Blog post, the Youth Council has met to discuss pertinent and topical issues. Our Members are preparing to deliver workshops at the event on 29th August. Emma Holmes MSYP, Sasha Brydon MSYP and Evie Robertson MSYP will be discussing community participation and Lauren McGill MSYP and I will be speaking about the importance of political participation.

"Our MSYPs will be preparing for the 64th National Sitting of the Scottish Youth Parliament in October. If there is anything you would like to raise, please do not hesitate to contact your local representatives. Also, please take a look (and like/share!) the Aberdeenshire MSYPs page for updates on what is being done to stand up for young people in the Aberdeenshire constituencies.

"On a more sombre note, I would like to mention the kind-hearted Patricia Oddie who passed away earlier this week. Pat was a former Councillor for the West Garioch ward and always did what she could to help others and local communities. I will always be grateful to her for her friendship and for teaching me the basics of campaigning when I was first involved in the political scene three years ago.

"I hope you are prepared for returning to school on Tuesday and wish you every success for the coming academic year!"

Good luck to all students across Aberdeenshire and Scotland who will be receiving exam results today!

We hope that everyone gets what they need to progress with their education!

This week on the Members' Blog, Emma Holmes MSYP shared her experience of the Youth Council, in this post 'A Summer Update'.

"I hope all of you are enjoying your summer in sunny Aberdeenshire. I have taken a short break from sunbathing to write my first blog post for the AYC Members’ blog - I will try not to ramble on excessively but won’t make any promises.

"While most of the members who have written on this platform so far are seasoned experts in all things AYC, I am relatively new and so feel perhaps I must write considering my personal perspective of having just joined. I became a member of the council because of my role as MSYP for Aberdeenshire West, and so I missed the daunting interview process which most members have to go through; however, my experience was not free from apprehension. I can remember nervously waiting in the car outside before my first meeting, worried that I would enter to find a room of unexciting agendas and highbrow discussion. I was put somewhat at ease when the Chair of the council reminded me to ‘bring my sass’. What I found was simply a group of inviting and passionate people who care about helping young people.

"Vice Chair Anna mentioned in her post about our upcoming presentation at an event for youth participation. Anna and I will be speaking on the importance of young people participating with their communities. Young people often find it nerve-wracking to participate with their communities in a constructive way, but communities are almost always receptive to young people when they make an effort. I am impressed by the work the AYC has done so far in giving young people a voice, I hope that during my time in the council I will be able to contribute to this, and I am grateful that I have the chance to participate with such a great group. I hope many of you get the chance to come and see our workshops at the event and can listen to a bit more of our waffle about the AYC.

"As well as this event, I will work with the rest of the council on our substance misuse campaign and in the year of young people. I hope through our aims for the next interim we can make a positive difference to our local area and I am excited to start work on the first AYC campaign I have been involved with. Of course, however, our members have taken a break from our plans to enjoy this summer break and so further updates on these will have to wait until a later date.

"I am excited to have been given this opportunity. I look forward to working with young people in Aberdeenshire and seeing the great things they will do."

What is your thoughts?

What do you think of Mosquito devices?

In the last few days lot of people have been talking about Mosquito devices, which emit a high-pitched sound only children and young people can hear to "repel" you from certain areas.

The Commissioner thinks these devices breach your human rights, and should be banned. But what's your experience of them been?

Young Scot are running a survey on behalf of the Official Scottish Youth Parliament and The Scottish Government to find out about times you've encountered Mosquito devices, and how those encounters made you feel.

The views young people give in the survey will help shape policy and law in Scotland. By completing the survey, you'll also get 50 Young Scot reward points.

Take the survey here: http://bit.ly/2w0fp7Z

This week, Vice-Chair Anna Cameron shared an update of recent work on the Youth Council, as part of the Members' Blog rota. Unfortunately, this cannot be viewed on the website due to technical issues.

Anna said,
"I'd like to start off by saying how excited I am to be the Vice-Chair of the Aberdeenshire Youth Council again!

"After a year-long break from being on the Executive Committee, I am back and raring to go. My role of Vice-Chair consists of many things but, most importantly, it is to support the Chair in their role and to stand in for them when they are unavailable.

"As a group, AYC is excited to continue work on its substance misuse campaign and has plans to spread the message to Aberdeenshire young people. The Youth Council is considering bringing speakers into schools and community centres to discuss experiences with substance misuse and generally provide a safe space for young people to discuss this important issue. Next month, AYC is speaking at a youth participation event about a number of relevant subjects, including, being in the Youth Council, the Scottish Youth Parliament and also the importance of general participation. We hope to see some of you there!"

Tonight we came runners up in the Youth Leader Category at the Inspiring Aberdeenshire Awards 2017 and we would like to thank Douglas Findlay for all his hard work and support over the years and all the moaning and groaning and sleepless nights too!

Well done to all past members and all current members who have stood up and continue standing up to give Aberdeenshire young people the voice we deserve.

Well done to all winners, Especially the youths we are super proud of you all and Well done to all the talented young performers across Aberdeenshire