Check out Youth Scotland’s Impact in 60 Seconds!
This year has tested the resilience and creativity of Scotland’s community-based youth work sector. Rising costs, funding uncertainty and growing demand have challenged local groups, yet they continue to provide safe, supportive spaces where young people can thrive.
Youth Scotland has focused on giving our members the tools, resources and advocacy they need. Our report Acting on Funding offered a clear picture of the financial pressures facing groups, while Acting on Youth Participation highlighted young people’s drive to be heard, to lead and to shape the work that matters to them.
Despite economic pressures, including National Insurance changes and the Cost of Living Crisis, young people remain active and engaged. New leaders are emerging across the country, stepping into roles at both local and national levels.
We have also represented the sector in key national discussions, consulting members on Learning: For All. For Life. A report from the Independent Review of Community Learning and Development (CLD), the Youth Work (Scotland) Bill and proposed changes to the PVG scheme.
Against this backdrop, the Youth Scotland team and our members have continued to deliver fantastic services for Scotland’s young people. This Impact Report is a snapshot of just some of the amazing work we do together.
Pillar 1: Supporting Our Member Youth Groups
Supporting Our Member Youth Groups - Impact in 2024-25
Youth Scotland’s membership has continued to grow. We now stand at 622 member organisations running 2,394 youth groups, reaching 113,176 young people and 11,738 youth workers, of whom 7,025 are volunteers.
‘I love Youth Scotland. I’ve always found them a great support through my own personal journey and so I’ve always pushed my team forward.’
- Haldane Youth Services youth worker
- Our network spans all 32 local authority areas
- 72% of groups based in urban areas and 28% rurally
- Two thirds of our members operate in SIMD 1–5 areas
- In 2024–25, 237 new youth groups joined our membership.
We continue to strengthen and support our members. In the past year, 70 participants joined our National Impact Network, over 50 attended Meet the Funder sessions and 25 learners took part in fundraising training and surgeries. Safeguarding remains a priority: 491 youth workers and volunteers completed Child Protection Awareness training and 49 trained as Child Protection Officers.
Youth Work Essentials remains a valued part of our website - including the refreshed and updated National Youth Work Induction Checklist – and is accessed by almost one in five users. In response to members’ needs we refreshed key safeguarding and governance sections, introduced new resources on cyber security, developed a Dyslexia Guide with Dyslexia Scotland and produced guidance on using Pupil Equity Funding. We also supported members to understand changes to the Protecting Vulnerable Groups scheme and explored the role of Artificial Intelligence in community-based youth work.
From Food to Futures
We spoke to member group Touch of Love Outreach, a powerhouse of community-based youth work and community services in Scotland’s north east. From a chance encounter just before the pandemic, to youth services accessed by 500+ young people and supported by Youth Scotland.
‘I went online and sat Googling what Youth Scotland was all about and like, oh wow [...] we didn't know that this even existed in Scotland. And then we registered. We're so excited [...] because for us it was like a dream come true.’
- Dr Jane Akadiri, Touch of Love
Pillar 2: Youth Leadership and National Programmes
Youth Leadership and National Programmes - Impact 2024-25
In the last year, 4,803 young people have been involved in programmes to develop their confidence and communication skills to be effective contributors in their communities.
‘Biggest personal change for me definitely, and I can 100% say with absolute certainty is confidence. Being able to stand up proud and be like, I’ve done this and I’m continuing to do this as a career in my life. It’s tremendous.’
- The Destiny Project young leader
- Generation CashBack: 820 young people took part in Grow and Lead. Across the consortium, 2,743 were supported, with groups accessing vital small-scale funding and networking. Outcomes included 100% reporting positive impact on behaviour, 97% improved mental health and 100% stronger supportive networks.
- Stand Up to Sectarianism: 1,104 young people joined events to raise awareness and take action in their communities.
- Growing Better Youth Work in Dumfries & Galloway: 463 young people engaged in participation and leadership programmes.
- Y2Be: 309 young people trained as peer mentors and mental health ambassadors, leading social action projects on wellbeing.
- Big Ideas Weekend: Over 220 young people and youth workers developed skills, networks and practical ideas.
- Young Islanders Network: Supported young leaders across island communities, influencing ferry fare concessions and housing discussions.
- Rural Youth Action Network: Launched with over 60 young people representing 26 groups, amplifying rural youth voices.
- Inspiring Ayrshire: Three youth groups trained peer leaders to roll out social action to 30 more groups.
- Corra Young Grant Makers: 21 young people allocated small grants, building skills and impact in their communities.
- Employability programmes (Career Sense and Hatch Partnerships): Young people accessed training, paid placements and routes into sustained employment.
Watch “A Force To Be Reckoned With” a Programmes Case Study
“I feel like if it's for the young people, I feel like getting the young people's perspective and assume what they'd like, what outcome they want from it, I feel like that helps to make it a lot better for them.”
- Corra Young Grantmaker
Pillar 3: Training and Workforce Development
Training Volunteers and Youth Workers - Impact in 2024-25
Throughout 2024–25, Youth Scotland’s training programmes supported the development of 4,332 youth workers and volunteers, enhancing their skills and strengthening the delivery of community-based youth work across Scotland.
So much more confident, comfortable and prepared leading group work, ensuring children are protected in the best of my ability and are kept safe and engaged throughout the session.
- Ready for Youth Work participant
- Ready for Youth Work (SCQF Level 3): 1,092 participants, including 256 full completions, 729 in progress and 107 through e-learning. This training increased confidence and competence to deliver inclusive youth work and support young people’s wellbeing.
- Professional Development Award in Youth Work (SCQF Level 6): 57 participants, with 47 completing. The qualification boosted attainment, employability and recognition of youth workers’ achievements.
- Leadership and Management Training (SCQF Level 9): 14 managers and senior staff undertook this accredited course, delivered with the Social Enterprise Academy and Glasgow Caledonian University, strengthening leadership across youth organisations.
- Trusted Adult training: 1,343 participants. Topics included mental health, trauma, autism, child protection and detached youth work, building capacity to deliver safe, inclusive youth work.
- Stand Up to Sectarianism training: 648 participants developed skills to challenge sectarianism and hate, reaching urban, rural and island communities.
- Mental Health Training with Place2Be: 142 participants gained foundation knowledge of children and young people’s mental health, with additional reflective practice training for 18 workers.
- Youth Awards Training: 1,026 participants, with new e-learning launched in February 2025 to increase accessibility.
Learning for Every Stage of Youth Work
Youth worker training continues to be one of Youth Scotland’s pillars, as we continue to provide training to community-based youth groups. Youth Scotland offers a wide range of agile and continuous professional learning, providing youth work workforce with the skills they need to make a positive impact in the lives of the young people they support.
Youth Scotland has a fantastic way of teaching but also gives the opportunity to learn from others. See having that conversation with people from other groups you learn so much from each other – it’s not just young people who peer-learn! As I said, they have been a fantastic support to our organisation and I love them!
- Youth Scotland Member
Pillar 4: Accredited Youth Awards
Accredited Youth Awards - Impact 2023-24
This year’s comprehensive redesign of the Youth Achievement Awards, launch of the Awards Force submission platform, and development of E-Module for Level 1 training represented key milestones in our ongoing commitment to improving accessibility.
The Youth Scotland Awards have made a huge difference to our young people. They’re gaining confidence, skills, and a recognised qualification.
- Youth Scotland Awards Group
In the last year we also launched a version of the Dynamic Youth Award in the Gaelic language. This allowed Gaelic speaking young people in Scotland to complete their awards in their own words and in their own language. This stemmed from a collaboration between Youth Scotland and Comunn na Gàidhlig (CnaG).
In the last year, 1,026 participants have undertaken Youth Awards training which has enabled learners to accredit young peoples’ achievements through the provision of youth awards. This has helped to improve young people’s ability to evidence their achievements and has aided their journeys towards positive destinations. Provision of awards training helped youth workers to offer inclusive youth work with learner pathways, promoting young people’s rights and contributing to more sustainable communities.
Youth Scotland's Awards: Progress With Purpose
2024-25 has been a year of substantial changes in the Youth Scotland Awards. We launched new systems, refreshed our resources and introduced new tools, including a digital platform, an e-learning module and a redesign of all awards.
A year of change and innovation has made our awards easier to access, more inclusive and as impactful as ever.
The Youth Scotland youth awards have made a huge difference to our young people. They’re gaining confidence, skills and recognised qualification.
- Awards Participant
Acting on crucial issues
Youth Scotland is proud to support and represent a varied and diverse membership of 11,738 youth workers and 113,176 young people. This privileged position puts in the heart of community-based youth work and the shared issues we face together. Our ‘Acting On’ series of impact reports highlighted two crucial topics in 2024-25: youth participation and the funding landscape in Scotland.
Acting on Youth Participation
How Youth Scotland’s vital work supports young people to shape the decisions that affect them This report examines the vital role that young voices play in shaping their communities and the decisions that affect them.
Youth Scotland believes young people are not just future leaders; they are equal citizens and valued contributors to our society today. Their insights can drive meaningful change and innovation, bringing fresh perspectives to existing challenges.
“I even learned more about myself, like personal development, more skills... and friends I met. It really gave me a boost, it made me feel great about myself, to know I was feeling heard.”
- Youth Scotland Young Grantmaker
Acting on Funding
How Youth Scotland and its Area Associations support community-based youth work in the current funding climate
This report examines the current funding climate and the effect it is having on community-based youth groups, alongside the work Youth Scotland and its Area Associations are doing to build capacity across the sector and support groups to become more sustainable.
Community-based youth work provides vital opportunities for young people across Scotland to develop new skills, improve their wellbeing and reach positive destinations. To do this work and to do it well, organisations require adequate funding.
“Funding is a huge challenge on a regular basis, we have our own hall which we rent from the local authority… we will always need to source and secure funding to operate the youth club.”
- Kilwinning CFC, Youth Scotland member group
With gratitude and thanks
We acknowledge the support of Scottish Government and funders as key partners in supporting young people and the community-based youth work sector in Scotland.
We would also like to say a huge thank you to all our funders and supporters of Youth Scotland projects and programmes including:
- Generation CashBack, funded by Scottish Government Cashback for Communities and managed by Inspiring Scotland.
- Support from Garfield Weston contributing to the delivery of our workforce development programme as part of our core vision.
- Core funding from the Children, Young People and Families Early Intervention Fund from Scottish Government and managed by the Corra Foundation.
- Support of our rural membership from The Gannochy Trust, including distribution of the Rural Action Fund.
- The Y2Be youth work and mental health programme both funded by the STV Children’s Appeal.
- Support of area-based work from Holywood Trust & Dumfries and Galloway Local Authority.
- Core funding from The Robertson Trust Large Grants strand.
- CareerSense, in partnership with We are Futures, funded by Nat West/RBS
- Strategic partnership with Children in Need to deliver Youth Work training to their grantees as part of a ‘funder-plus’ model of support.
- Strategic partnership with YMCA George William’s College to support a National Impact Network in Scotland.
- Continuation funding from the Scottish Government CLD Unit in support of our co-ordination role in the Awards Network, promoting informal learning opportunities between 35+ Awards Providers and Partners.
- Continuation of our training and capacity building support for youth workers, funded through the Scottish Government’s CLD Unit.
- Young Grantmakers programmes funded by Corra Foundation and Creative Scotland.
- The Young Islanders Network, funded from the Scottish Government’s Islands’ Team.
- The Stand Up to Sectarianism programme, funded by Scottish Government’s Community Safety Policy and Prevention Unit.
- UK Youth Hatch programme funded by KFC.
- The Trustees would also wish to thank the Meikle Foundation for their donations in support of our work.
Our Area Association partners
As always, we would like to make a special thank you to our Area Associations across Scotland, who we work in partnership with as part of the Youth Scotland Network:
LAYC in Edinburgh and the Lothians - see their website: https://layc.org.uk/
YouthBorders - see their website: https://youthborders.org.uk/
Youth 1st in Fife - see their website: https://www.youth1st.co.uk/
Youth Highland - see their website: https://youthhighland.org.uk/
Lewis and Harris Youth Clubs Association - see their profile: https://www.facebook.com/people/Lewis-and-Harris-Youth-Clubs-Association/100064388994223/
Orkney Association of Youth Groups - see their website: https://www.orkneycommunities.co.uk/OAYC/
Special thanks
Finally, our heartfelt thanks go to the members, volunteers and young people who make this work possible. Together we achieve lasting change and create positive opportunities for young people across Scotland. Find out more about our work, how to get involved and how to join us on our website.
Read more about our work, how to get involved and how to join on website.