Last week on the first Wednesday of our STEAM Summer Programme, we welcomed a session working with Together (Scottish Alliance for Children’s Rights)’s Story-Gathering Project to collect real stories from young people to assist in their State of Children’s Rights Report 2024.
Our young people took part in creative activities designed to help them express their views and experiences living in Scotland to be used in the study. We were joined by Ryan Coelho from the Scottish Youth Parliament and Daniela Onyewuenyi MSYP, MSYP for Paisley and SYP Board Trustee. We asked how she felt about the session after, and she told us:
“I liked how even with the wide age range in the room, there was still a good dynamic present. It is clear from the discussions that even a few years’ difference can result in very different experiences as a young person but that didn’t stop them from all working together!”
We also asked why this unique story-telling approach is effective for young people in this report and why activities like this can be empowering for young people taking part as a chance for their voices to be heard:
“We are working with our partners at Together, who are a charity working to make sure that children and young people’s human rights are protected. Every year, Together produce a report for government to inform them about how well children’s rights are being used in different parts of society in Scotland. The State of Children’s Rights Report is like a big check-up to see how well Scotland is doing at making sure that children and young people are happy, healthy, and safe. For the 2024 report Together, we wanted to make it more personal by collecting real stories and experiences from babies right up to young people aged 25. This year’s report will be like a storybook filled with all the things you love, the challenges you face, and your thoughts about what’s happening around you.”
“Sessions like these create a safe space for young people to voice their experiences and concerns in a way that will truly make a difference. A sentiment many young people feel is ‘being heard but not listened to’, which is why creating action from their words is empowering.”
We thank Ryan and Daniela for this session and opportunity for our young people to take part in an important report that aims to inform and improve the lives of young people in Scotland. For more information and how to sign up for our Summer 2024 Programme, please follow us on social media and Eventbrite page.