Welcome the news section of our website. Please click on the stories below for our latest news and examples of our work.
For more information on our services or to contact us please visit:
Facebook: WesterHailes YouthAgency
Twitter: @WHYouthAgency
Instagram: westerhailes_youth_agency
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...
It Is Rocket Science
Young people were super happy to welcome Nic and Val from Edinburgh Science Festival to the drop in last week. Edinburgh Science Festival have so many exciting activities for young people to get hands on with science but our young people choose to try their hand at rocket making!...
Youth Agency Award
S6 pupil Zuzanna Zawislak was the very worthy winner of the Youth Achievement Award for Personal Achievement in conjunction with Forrester High School this year. Zuzanna has been working with the Youth Agency since S3 as part of a girls group which looked at behaviour, friendship and choices. At all...
Groupwork Roundup
As the end of the school year approaches so too does our school-based groupwork programmes It’s been a busy year for groupwork but always fun and enjoyable! We’ve had the pleasure of running an Enhanced Support Base nurture group which has now completed its second year. This group has...
Focus On Individual Support
As May draws to a close, we are offering a short insight into our Individual Support service. This service for young people is very much needed and has been growing significantly year or year for some time. It offers a safe space and time out for young people that...
Kind2Mind Update
Thank you to everyone who donated to the Youth Agency during Big Give’s Kind2Mind campaign. This generosity has had an incredible impact on our Individual Support service and will help us to make a significant difference to many young people facing issues affecting their mental wellbeing. We were able to...
Double Donations With Kind²mind
We’re very excited that we have been selected to participate in the Big Give Kind²mind campaign. We will be raising money for our Individual Support for young people aged 12-25. Donations to this project will be matched for 7 days from 15th – 22nd May 2023 – Mental Health Awareness...
Awards for All Funding
We are so grateful to Awards for All for the their recent donation of £10,000! This gratefully-received funding will help to support our drop-in services so that we can continue to provide much needed support and a safe space for young people to hang out and have fun...
Edinburgh Youth and Children’s Work Strategy
The new Edinburgh Youth and Children’s Work Strategy has been launched. Covering the years 2023-28, it was launched last week at an event at the City Chambers in Edinburgh. The Strategy highlights the role of the sector in supporting children and young people in Edinburgh, as well as acknowelging the...
Easter Activities and Chocolate!
The Easter holidays have been busy at the Youth Agency. As we’ve welcomed lighter nights and the (sometimes) nicer weather we’ve had lots of opportunities to try some new activities during the holiday period. As it’s Easter, we’ve also indulged in more than a little chocolate! Our junior...