Young people graduate from first Youth Activate course delivered in North Glasgow

ng homes has worked in partnership with Glasgow University over the past eight years to deliver the Activate Community Development programme in North Glasgow.

During this time, over 300 students from across a range of ages, cultures, communities and public organisations have completed the programme. Some students have gone on to complete further studies at college or university, with some going on to graduate from the BA Community Development course at Glasgow University.

Margaret Fraser, Head of Regeneration at ng homes said: “For some time, ng homes and Glasgow University have been working hard to establish a Youth Activate programme, though the difficulty has been trying to organise this during the school term as there were always preparations for exams taking place.

“We were delighted when Youth Activate launched on 16 July 2019 in Saracen House in Possilpark, with 25 young people attending and giving up two weeks of their summer holidays to study with Glasgow University.”

The participants included those of various ages and cultural backgrounds and a number of local organisations, including Glasgow Afghan United, Glasgow Chinese Recreation Centre, ng homes tenants, PSYV (Police Scotland Youth Volunteers), Springburn Young People, Ruchazie Church, and DRC Generations Scotstoun.

During the programme, the young people took part in discussions and workshops on a range of important local and global topics. The tutors facilitating the programme commented on the enthusiasm of the young people, highlighting how keen they were to get involved and play an active part in shaping ng homes’ Youth Committee. Several young people also expressed a desire to follow up with the PSYV (Police Scotland Youth Volunteers) scheme.

Alongside the workshops, the young people worked within groups and selected topics for their Community Investigations, which they presented on the final day of the course. These explored a range of subjects such as facilities for young people in North Glasgow, activities for Afghan United, broader environmental issues, young people’s perception of police and safety issues.

On the final day of the Youth Activate programme, all 25 of the young people presented their Community Investigations at Glasgow University, before heading to the graduation event later that day.

The Activate graduation took place on Monday 29 July in Glasgow University and was attended by all Activate and Youth Activate students, their family and friends, elected members and ng homes staff and board members. A number of other organisations received awards on the night, including 13 students from ng homes adult Activate programme.

John Thorburn, ng homes Chair, said: “I was very impressed by the number of people who had taken part in the Activate programme and celebrated their graduation at the award ceremony in Glasgow University. I was especially delighted to see so many young people who had used part of their holiday time to take part in the youth version. They showed that they care passionately about the area and people who live here. I hope that this passion they have will continue to shine through and they are successful in achieving the changes they want to see.

“Perceptions are only changed by actions, and it is clear they are committed to making a positive difference in North Glasgow.”

Pictured: Youth Activate students celebrate after completing the Community Development programme at Glasgow University.