ProjectScotland has thanked the 5,000 young people across Scotland who have given more than three million volunteering hours to over 540 charities in the last 10 years of the volunteering charity’s work.
Celebrating its 10th anniversary this week, the charity’s chief executive Paul Reddish (pictured right) said ProjectScotland had made “great strides” supporting young people into brighter futures.
Research undertaken by the charity showed 78% of ProjectScotland volunteers go on to employment, education, or training within six months, and 93% of volunteers said the experience had an impact on their long-term career and life choices.
To mark the celebrations minister for youth and women’s employment Annabelle Ewing (pictured right) attended Falkland Palace, a National Trust for Scotland property which is one of the ProjectScotland’s biggest partners, to meet past and present volunteers.
She said: “I would like to congratulate ProjectScotland on their achievements over the last ten years.
“ProjectScotland plays a key role helping to improve the prospects and aspirations of young people across Scotland, recognising the importance of developing young people and that it is not just the right thing to do, it is the smart thing to do.”
Over the forthcoming year the charity will celebrate the young people, charities and communities who have been supported through volunteering with ProjectScotland.
Reddish said: “Scotland has led the way in the UK, with a supportive government that has youth employment right at the forefront of its priorities and policies, but there is still much to be done particularly in tackling underemployment of talented young people in low paid work and supporting those furthest from the job market.
“For our 10th birthday we’re taking time to reflect and celebrate and also very much looking to the future and the work that still needs done.”
