National Youth Work Awards 2026
For many young people in Glasgow’s Southside, Active Life Club is where confidence begins to grow. Through sport, youth forums and leadership opportunities, the club supports young people to strengthen both their physical health and mental wellbeing.
Activities include football, cricket, cycling and multi-sport sessions delivered in the community and across nine local primary schools in partnership with Active Schools Glasgow.
Everything is free and equipment is provided, removing barriers that often prevent young people from taking part in sport. Many young people progress from attending sessions to volunteering and coaching themselves, building team work, leadership skills and a strong sense of belonging.
When a young person becomes the victim of crime, recovery can take years. The Cairn Service at 6VT Edinburgh City Youth Café makes sure young people don’t face that journey alone.
Since 2017 the service has supported over 317 young people aged 10-to–25 who have experienced or witnessed crime.
Through long-term one-to-one youth work support, young people receive emotional guidance, help navigating court processes and connections to wider health and wellbeing services.
One young person who received support explained simply: “I would not have managed emotionally without Cairn.”
For many, the service provides stability, trust and the confidence needed to rebuild their lives.
In environments where trust can be hard to build, Kinetic Youth creates spaces where young people feel safe enough to talk.
Working at HMP and YOI Polmont and Stirling, youth workers deliver clubs, small groups and one-to-one support focused on emotional wellbeing, relationships and healthier ways to cope with stress and anger.
Young people who once stayed in their rooms now attend sessions regularly and support each other through group activities. Many describe Kinetic as the one time they feel listened to and respected.
The programme also supports young people to rebuild confidence, return to sport and begin thinking about futures that once felt out of reach.
Be part of an unforgettable evening of celebration, glamour, and inspiration at the DoubleTree by Hilton Glasgow on Wednesday 3rd June 2026. This year’s Awards Dinner will be an inspiring gathering of Scotland’s youth work champions, a night filled with stories of dedication, resilience, and positive change.