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Keep your finger firmly on the pulse of Scotland’s youth work sector with our news, events & blogs library. You’ll get the top stories, best training opportunities and insightful comment from across the sector.

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Equity in Education - The Vital Role of Youth Work
We've published a report to highlight what has been achieved and learned through the Youth Work and Schools SAC National Programme to date, and the importance of continuing to strengthen collaboration across the educational system, so that all young people can reach their full potential.
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Youth Work and Online Lives
What do you think about a social media ban for under 16s? What will be the impact for young people and what are the issues that the youth work sector needs to engage with right now? Are there alternative approaches? Our survey (open until 13th May) is for those who work with young people in Scotland.

Youth Work Manifesto
The manifesto sets out three national commitments Scotland must make to ensure every young person can thrive through access to high-quality youth work. Together, they represent the foundation of a stronger, fairer youth work system: guaranteed by law, universally accessible, and sustained by investment.

Call-Out to Film Makers, Creatives, Film Producers: Tender Opportunity
A decade after the release of Mark’s Story: One Knife, Many Victims, this influential resource continues to shape prevention work across education, youth services, and community safety. We are now inviting proposals (deadline - 20th May) for a new phase of work that revisits Mark’s Story Ten Years on.

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Scotland's Youth on the "Downward Escalator": More Than Half Living Beyond Their Means
In Scotland, 54% of 18-39 year-olds are now living beyond their means (spending at least 20% more than their incomes); half of young people in Scotland are regularly struggling to make ends meet – and that has long-term consequences according to data published recently in Smart Data Foundry’s monthly Economic Wellbeing Explorer.
  • Date:  11 March, 2026

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Understanding Outcomes for Young People Who Come to Mental Health Services
A team of researchers at the University of Edinburgh are working on a project to determine what a "good outcome" looks like for children and young people who have used mental health services. Is it reduced symptoms? Success in school or work? Strong family relationships? You could help by completing a survey by 30th March.
  • Topic:  Health & Wellbeing
  • Date:  10 March, 2026

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Academic Pressure Linked to Increased Risk of Depression in Teens
Pressure to achieve at school at age 15 is linked to depressive symptoms and risk of self-harm, and the association appears to persist into adulthood, finds a study led by UCL researchers. The authors of the new study, published in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health, say their findings suggest that reducing academic pressure in schools could reduce depression and self-harm among young people.
  • Topic:  Education, Skills & Employability, Health & Wellbeing
  • Date:  10 March, 2026

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Group of young people drinking alcohol
Substance Use on the Rise Among Gen Z in Their Early 20s
Around seven in ten young adults who are part of generation Z report binge drinking in the past year, with almost a third regularly consuming six or more alcoholic drinks in one sitting, according to new UCL research. The report also finds that half of gen Z’s 23-year-olds have used cannabis and a third have tried harder drugs, such as cocaine, ketamine and ecstasy. 
  • Topic:  Addiction, Health & Wellbeing
  • Date:  10 March, 2026

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Speaking Up for Our Future - Manifesto for Scotland’s LGBTQ+ Young People 2026-31
Young people are increasingly concerned that LGBTQ+ rights are regressing – both in Scotland, and on a global scale. This mani festo reflects the views and experiences of LGBTQ+ young people across Scotland. It details what matters most to them during the expected parliamentary terms of 2026-2031.
  • Topic:  Equality
  • Date:  10 March, 2026

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Preventing Harm, Promoting Recovery: Scotland's Alcohol & Drugs Strategic Plan 2026 – 2035
A new plan to reduce deaths and harms caused by alcohol and drugs has been published. The joint Scottish Government and COSLA plan aims to improve collaboration between government and grassroots delivery with a locally-led, accountable system, guided by clear national direction and support.
  • Topic:  Addiction, Health & Wellbeing
  • Date:  10 March, 2026

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Help Us Secure a New Chair
We are delighted to announce that the Board of YouthLink Scotland is recruiting a new independent Chair to succeed Angela Leitch CBE, who stepped down in November 2025 after three years in post. Find out more and nominate a suitable candidate by 5th April.
  • Topic:  Corporate
  • Date:  10 March, 2026

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The Calling - Scotland's new leadership conference
The Calling 2026 is Scotland’s new one‑day leadership experience designed to inspire, equip, and commission people who want to lead well. A 50% discount is available for charities until the end of March.
  • Topic:  Training & Development
  • Date:  6 March, 2026

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Youth Work and Violence Prevention: Investing in What Works
We’re pleased to share that funding has been secured for a Youth Work Preventing Violence Project, supporting 10 local youth work organisations to deliver early intervention projects.
  • Topic:  Prevention & Early Intervention
  • Date:  5 March, 2026

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New Research Suggests Older People Have More Progressive Views on Women’s Rights Than Younger Generations
The 29-country survey, conducted by Ipsos and King’s College London, finds that young men today are more likely than those in older generations to hold traditional views about gender roles.
  • Topic:  Equality
  • Date:  5 March, 2026

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Your Vote Week - 9th to 15th March
This year’s theme is 'why voting matters’ – supporting young people to discover the difference voting makes and how they can have their voices heard. Use the Electoral Commission’s impartial resources to explore why voting is important to your young people and to discuss the impact their vote can have on their everyday life.
  • Topic:  Rights, Participation & Volunteering
  • Date:  4 March, 2026

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New Report Highlights the Toxic Landscape Driving Problem Gambling Among Young Men
A new Glasgow Centre for Public Health evidence review warns that young men in the UK are navigating an increasingly “addictive and toxic landscape” in which gambling harms are amplified by digital technologies, social media cultures, and broader psychosocial pressures.
  • Topic:  Addiction
  • Date:  4 March, 2026

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Do you have a youth work event coming up? We can help you promote it on our website and in our Youth Work Briefing, going out to over 1000 subscribers every fortnight. Simply fill out our event submission form and we’ll take care of the rest.

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