Y Sort-It News


Welcome to the Y Sort-It news section.
Here we will be posting all Y Sort-It related news and events to keep you updated on what is going on at Y Sort-It and so that you never miss any fantastic events we are holding.
If you want us to post any events that are not on here or you have some news that you think would be good to post here then email us the information at the following email address:

info@ysortit.com

Young Carers Festival 2010


The Young Carers Festival is entering its third year in Scotland and is the festival NOT to be missed. The festival will bring togeather approximately 500 young carers from all across Scotland for fun, friendship and the oppertunity to talk about issues that affect them and their families.

It will be an oppertunity to:
* meet other young carers from across the country
* have a break from your caring situation
* enage with MSPs and other decision makers
* try new and fun activities
* raise the awareness of young carers issues in Scotland.

The event will be taking place on the 21st and 22nd of August at the Broomlee Centre, West Linton.

For more info simply contact us here at Y Sort-It




International Youth Exchange against Poverty


Back Row (Left to right ); Jonathan Hanvidge, 19 Yrs, Whitecrook, Clydebank, Hayley Murray, 19 Yrs, Duntocher, Clydebank, Kirsty Wilson, 17yrs, Faifley Clydebank, Kelly Mills, 14 yrs, Brucehill, Dumbarton.
Bottom Row (Left to right ); Sarah-Jane McDermott, 19yrs, Whitecrook, Clydebank, James Morrow 21 yrs, Bonhill, Alexandria, Lewis Smith, 15 yrs, Duntocher, Clydebank, Bernise Kampfert, 18 yrs, Alexandria, Bobbie Mills, 15yrs, Brucehill, Dumbarton.

When the school bell rings for the last time and summer is around the corner most young people start thinking about how they are going to spend all their free time.....but this cannot not be said for young volunteers from Y sort it Youth Information & Support Network.

Nine young people aged between 14-21, from across West Dunbartonshire are taking part at in a youth exchange focused on “Youth in Action against Poverty”.  The exchange is being hosted by the Italian island of Sardinia and will attended by young people and youth workers from Spain, Bulgaria, Romania and Italy. 

The aim of the exchange is for young people from each country to explore the theme of poverty including social inclusion, the benefits of volunteering and increasing youth involvement in community life. Gillian Kirkwood, Y sort it Depute Coordinator explained “Y sort it was invited to the exchange because Future Europe recognised our project as a valuable contributor towards promoting youth involvement & empowerment, whilst providing a delivering youth information, support and advice services to reduce poverty in West Dunbartonshire.”  She added “This is a fantastic opportunity for young people to come together from different cultural backgrounds to share their experience of how poverty has impacted on them as individuals but also to explore solutions to how young people can be actively challenging poverty issues in their own community” 

During the exchange, all young people develop a short drama including music, which will be performed at a showcase event held in the towns of Olmedo & Alghero, Sardinia to an audience of delegates from the European Union as well as local community members, and the local Mayor. The young people from Y sort it involved have been working hard to reflect issues such as the alcohol, drugs, homelessness and lack of opportunities as significant contributors to poverty throughout their play. This is more impressive when Y sort it member James Morrow, 21 yrs, explains “We have never been involved in acting before but recognise that drama and music is a great method of getting key messages across about poverty.  I have experienced the impact poverty can have on your life first hand but by volunteering with Y sort it I feel that I am now contributing to something positive and helping to support other young people that are facing the same issues as I once did.  I am really looking forward to meeting all the young people from the different countries and to share ideas about what we are doing here in West Dunbartonshire to help tackle poverty.  ”  

Y sort it Youth Management Board Members will be attending the “Youth in Action against Poverty” Youth Exchange between 28thJuly – 4th August 2010




Winner of National Youth Health Worker of the Year


Another fantastic success was the recognition Y sort it received during and after the Scottish Annual Youth Work Conference for their contribution to youth health issues. Gillian Kirkwood, Y sort it Depute Coordinator was awarded the National Youth Worker of the Year Award 2010 sponsored by Youth Link Scotland and Health Scotland at the Crown Plaza, Glasgow. The award was presented and celebrated in front of 400 delegates from all over Scotland including representatives from WDC and WDC Community Planning Partnership.
Click here for more information




Y Sort It Health Drop in Award Nomination


Y sort it Health Drop was nominated for award in recognition of the services contribution to youth health and information in West Dunbartonshire.
Young Scot who ran the competition had a record number of entries for the award and although Y Sort It Health Drop In was highly recognised it unfortunately fell slightly short of making it into the finalist postion.
There's alway next year, and we will be there :o)