We are thrilled and delighted that the Youth Agency has been awarded the LGBT Gold Charter by LGBT Youth Scotland.
The LGBT Gold Charter recognises commitment to LGBT rights and equality along with excellence in best practice. The Youth Agency are honoured to be the first youth work organisation in Edinburgh to receive this award.
In 2018 we became the first youth work organisation in South West Edinburgh to achieve the Bronze Charter. Achieving this award was a big event for us and a recognition of our commitment to fully embracing LBGT rights and promoting equality. However, we thought we could do more and go further and that is what we set out to do.
Our journey to gold began in 2022 and the 18 months we have spent working towards this award has been both enlightening and challenging. While it has been heartening to see what we do well receive recognition, we have also been pushed to be better.
Among the highlights have been working with our partner agencies to complete the Trans Top Tips document, delivering multi-agency training with LGBT Youth Scotland, Healthy Respect and LAYC to promote LGBT-inclusive practice, and participating in the fantastic Youth Pride Zone as part of the Edinburgh Pride Festival.
Feeback from LGBT Youth Scotland said “Your organisation has worked really hard over the Charter Journey to integrate inclusivity into your service, benefitting LGBTQ+ service users and staff. This is a collective effort and every person who has completed training, attended events, and participated in the journey should be proud of their positive contribution.”
We hope our services reflect the journey that we have been on, the lessons that we have learned and the relationships we have built. Ultimately, it is our wish that our staff, volunteers and all the young people using Youth Agency services feel safe, valued and free to be themselves.
Halloween Happenings and Things That Go Bump
It’s spooky season and things have taken a darker turn around here (and we’re not just talking about the clocks going back). While our staff may have been a little spooked, our young people seem to have had a perfectly delightful time. The ghosts, ghouls, bumps and gore...
The Summer of Rain and Fun
With the dawn of summer and the long, light nights we at the Youth Agency flew in to the school holidays with plans of the outdoors and adventure. Sadly the weather had other ideas (we’re not quite sure if we’ve ever seen as much rain as we did this summer). ...
Garden Party
This week two of our staff were guests at the Palace of Holyroodhouse for the Royal Garden Party. Their invitation was extended in recognition of their dedication to youth work and to improving the lives of young people over many years, and also presented an opportunity to swap their jeans...
Prep for Pride
As Edinburgh Pride weekend beckons we’ve had a busy old week in schools. Our groups and our health drop in have had a great time helping us prepare for Pride. To those attending Pride over the weekend or the Pride Youth Space have a great time and we hope that...
Youth Agency Award 2024
Congratulations to Forrester High School S6 pupil, Clara Spence, who received the 2024 Youth Agency Award for Personal Achievement at the school’s annual award ceremony. Clara is a friendly and able young person who has faced some difficult circumstances. She has addressed these with a remarkable level of maturity and...
Parliament Motion
We were delighted to be mentioned in a Scottish Parliament motion in recognition of our LGBT work and following the achievement of our LGBT Gold Charter. Many thanks to our local MSP, Gordon Macdonald, for highlighting our charter journey. The full text of the motion can be read here. Following...
Spotlighting Individual Support
For many and varied reasons, people often need a little extra support at different times in their lives and the same is true of young people. The Youth Agency’s individual support service steps in and steps up when young people need it most. Our staff are friendly, approachable and supportive...
Easter and Holiday Fun
Easter arrived with it a visit from the Easter bunny who brought an over-abundance of eggs and all things chocolate. Our groups have had much fun creating Easter goodies to eat and take home all, of course, with a big emphasis on chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate. ...
Celebrating Women!
March has been a busy month at our drop-ins and groups. But, with both International Women’s Day and Mother’s Day, it was a great opportunity to find time to celebrate our strong, female role models. Young people spent time on activities for International Women’s Day that...
National No Smoking Day
Wednesday 13 March was National No Smoking Day. As proud members of ASH Scotland’s Charter for a Smoke Free Generation the Youth Agency were happy to support this important day and to promote healthy, smoke-free lifestyles among our staff, volunteers, young people and their families. For young people, vaping can...
Celebrating LGBT History Month
At the Youth Agency we love to celebrate love in whatever for it comes and LGBT History Month gave us a chance to do just that. Marked and celebrated every February, LGBT History Month gives us all a chance to come together, to celebrate diversity and to unite...
A Bright Start To The Year
It was great to welcome everyone back after the Christmas break. While there’s no doubt January can feel like a long and dark month, that’s not how we do things in the Pyramid. Our groups got busy with keep fit, cooking and crafts and plenty of other activities. Last week...
‘Twas The Week Before Christmas
The week before Christmas for us here at the Youth Agency is the most wonderful time of the year. All December long we have been making, baking and, of course, partying. The excitement has been been building and our groups have enjoyed some fun and festive Christmas parties. Sadly, this...
Anti-bullying Week
Anti-bullying Week runs every year in November and is a good reminder to all of us to think about how our words and actions impact people around us. Our groups spent time last week talking about bullying, what it can look like and how harmful it can be. We...
Ghostly Goings On
Spooky season is upon us. For one week only we welcomed ghost, ghouls and all things ghastly to the Youth Agency. We’ve carved, dressed up, baked and partied and had a frighteningly frightful time. We think you’ll agree that the imagination and carving skills of our young people are second...
Fun and Learning – S6 Sexual Health
It’s been a productive few weeks at Forrester High School. As well as our usual groupwork, individual support and drop-in, we are nearing the end of an eight week block of sexual health with S6 pupils. The sessions are an opportunity for senior pupils to ask about anything relating to...
Summer of Fun, Some Sun and Quite a Lot of Rain
Although the summer sun has belatedly come out to play, young people are firmly settled back in to school for the new school year. Before we turn our attention to autumn activities and cosy hat, gloves and scarves, we thought it may be nice to reflect on the fun we...
Summer Streetwork
The summer may not have delivered the weather but that’s not put us off getting out and about on streetwork. Despite the cold and drizzle, our staff are still engaging with young people out in the streets and parks in the areas they are hanging out, as well as offering...
