Sponsored by Perthshire Youth Work Partnership
The Inverclyde DofE Team are a shining example of commitment, care and community. Led by Brian Collins, alongside Paddy Devlin and Alesha Hope, this small team supports over 400 young people across Inverclyde to take part in and complete the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. From weekly skills nights to expeditions and Gold residentials, they make the impossible seem easy, despite the huge logistics, time demands and challenges of working in an area where many young people face real barriers.
The team deliver more than 100 nights away from home each year, run over 40 activity sessions, maintain a fully stocked kit store, and visit every school to provide personalised support. They walk alongside each young person—literally and metaphorically—as they learn new skills, build resilience, and push themselves beyond their comfort zones.
Inverclyde is an area where opportunities can feel out of reach, but the DofE team create a different story. They build confidence, open doors, and give young people a sense of pride in their achievements. Every effort, from recceing campsites to hosting Town Hall celebrations, is made with care and heart.
The result? Lifelong memories, stronger futures, and a youth work team who never stop showing up. This is youth work that transforms lives, and it’s being delivered with excellence every single week.
Born from the passion and persistence of local young people, Irvine Youth Legacy Centre (IYLC) has grown into a vibrant youth-led space making a real difference in North Ayrshire. At the heart of this progress is a youth work team who are resilient, inspiring, and deeply committed to empowering the next generation.
Since opening in 2022, IYLC has supported over 370 young people, offering a safe space, food provision, wellbeing support, and opportunities for youth leadership. Faced with funding challenges and the pressure of losing their premises, the youth work team responded with creativity and determination, transforming adversity into a chance to reimagine their space and reconnect with the community.
Their work extends beyond the walls of the centre. Through partnerships with local services like the Alcohol and Drug Partnership, they deliver issue-based learning that matters to young people. They also nurture youth voice at every level, supporting the Youth Action Team to run events, represent peers at community councils, and shape the future of the town.
Several young people have gone on to volunteer, lead, and even take on Modern Apprenticeships in youth work—proof of the team’s powerful legacy. Their success is a testament to what youth work, at its best, truly delivers.
The Place Youth Club in Alness is a lifeline for children and young people across the community. From after-school drop-ins to weekend sessions, outdoor learning and youth achievement awards, their team creates a consistent, trusted space where young people feel safe, seen and supported.
They run a school holiday playscheme that not only provides fun and learning but also tackles holiday hunger. Their work responding to food insecurity includes a local food bank, ensuring no child goes without during challenging times.
What truly sets this team apart is the depth of their commitment. They are more than youth workers – they are role models, mentors, and advocates. The Place team offers practical and emotional support for young people and their families, signposting to services, offering a listening ear, and standing up for those facing difficulties.
The youth club is rooted in participation. Young people are at the heart of decision-making, helping shape the provision and taking pride in what they’ve built together. The result? A programme that’s deeply responsive, inclusive, and genuinely empowering.
Whether it’s boosting confidence, tackling loneliness, or bridging the gap between generations, the team at The Place Youth Club are making a profound and lasting impact, one young person at a time.