In 1999 the United Nations General Assembly designated 12 August each year as International Youth Day. The theme of International Youth Day 2020, “Youth Engagement for Global Action” seeks to highlight how involving young people – in the 15-24 age group – at local, national and global levels is enriching what is happening in many aspects of life as well as learning lessons about how to encourage more young people to get involved. More information about the project can be found here.
https://www.un.org/development/desa/youth/
More locally, Guild members have seen how young people are involved in society through one of the Guild projects which supports the Boys Brigade “Growing in Faith” project. This project has helped highlight the work done by the BB movement to help young people to grow in faith and in confidence. Over the summer the organisation has introduced #BBatHome providing resources online for different age groups which have helped to keep young people – and their families – engaged and interested.
https://boys-brigade.org.uk/bbathome/
The Guild also heard from Dana McQuater who was Moderator of the Church of Scotland Youth Assembly about the work they do. It was inspiring to hear her enthusiasm about the Church and her involvement in wider church projects. While the format of the Youth Assembly has changed, the willingness to involve young adults in the work of the Church is still there.
Connect Alloa – a local youth club – meets in St Mungo’s twice a week and has done a lot to involve young people in decision making as well as providing a safe environment to enjoy time with other young people. At present they meet online, as they have done throughout the current Covid situation, so that the young people can continue to have contact with one another.
https://connectalloa.org.uk/
Young Adult Carers go the extra mile without making a fuss, while trying to juggle education, employment or training with caring responsibilities and making decisions about what they want to do with their life and how to fit their caring role into all of this. Often this is done while becoming increasingly isolated from their peers as they are not free to go out socialising to the same extent. Help is available locally from the Carers Centre at
http://centralcarers.org/
Overall there are approximately 1.2 billion people aged 15-24 across the world. We often hear negative stories about that age group but the majority want to make life better for others and many just quietly get on with things. Those involved in youth groups want to use their time constructively, members of the Scottish Youth Parliament debate issues of importance to young people and society but we rarely hear about the positive impact of young people. Everyone should be valued for what they do and even little things like putting litter in a bin can make a difference.
As noted in a previous Digest article, there is concern about the long term effects on mental health – particularly, but not exclusively, among our young people – of the Covid19 pandemic. Many people are suffering more anxiety and feelings of insecurity at this time but there are resources available which can help.
Dr Elaine Lockhart, Chair of the Royal College of Psychiatrist’s Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), said in a recent statement:
“It is perfectly normal to feel worried during exceptional and frightening times such as this. However, if you are starting to feel overwhelmed, it’s important to acknowledge your feelings and speak to someone you trust, whether that’s a friend, a family member, your GP or a helpline”.
The Scottish Association for Mental Health has a wide range of information and resources – some specifically produced with regard to coronavirus. Find out more at the link below.
https://www.samh.org.uk/about-mental-health/self-help-and-wellbeing/coronavirus-information-hub
Young Scot is currently running the Aye Feel campaign about mental health in young people which includes a lot of information on a wide variety of topics with videos as well as ideas of things to do. More information is available by following this link:
https://young.scot/campaigns/national/aye-feel
If you feel stressed or worried, you may well find something helpful at Crossreach. Find out more about Crossreach and the help they offer by checking their website at
https://www.crossreach.org.uk/
As the Alloa Advertiser is now publishing the District Digest again the St Mungo’s item can be found there.
Within our parish, the National Records of Scotland data shows that 13% of our population is over 65. Older people are often portrayed as a drain on society but, when you look at what is happening in a community, many of the people giving up their time for others are over 65 because they do not have the same work commitments. A figure published recently said that many grandparents are providing £4000 worth of childcare a year. They do this because they love their children and grandchildren and enjoy spending time with them. Many older people volunteer at sporting and charity events. They give their time as trustees of charities so that help can be provided to people of all ages. In an ideal world we would see people as individuals and not judge by labels – age, gender, ethnic background, religion etc. Just as it is a mistake to think all teenagers are bad – they obviously are not – it is also a mistake to write people off because they are old enough to receive a pension. If we valued everyone for what they do, the world would be a better place.
This week, a well-known local lady – Moira Bruce – did a short video clip on Youtube with the title Older People – a bonus not a burden, as part of a series being produced for the Scottish Older People’s Assembly. Please follow the link below to see what she has to say.
https://youtu.be/NbQlVCyy3z8
Please celebrate older people – you will be one some day!
