With the support of Arven, The Wood Foundation’s Youth and Philanthropy Initiative (YPI) is delivered in seven secondary schools in Shetland.

This partnership has focused on embedding YPI within each participating school and ensuring its ongoing development to benefit young people, educators, and the wider community.

“Being involved in YPI is a powerful experience which encourages us all to consider what truly matters in life and what type of a society we want to create for our young people moving forward,” said Niall Healy, Headteacher at Whalsay School in Shetland.

“Empowering our young people to develop their knowledge and understanding of key societal issues and challenges can inspire meaningful action.”

Valerie Watt, Principal Teacher of English and Social Subjects at Shetland’s Brae High School, said she valued how the initiative gives pupils the opportunity to connect with real-world issues.

Valerie added: “Working in a real-life context is very meaningful for them. Parents and carers often tell us they hear a lot about YPI at home which reflects how rewarding pupils find the experience.”

For Finley Stuart, a Brae High School pupil who was part of the school’s winning YPI team, the programme offered a meaningful platform to champion a cause close to his heart – mental health.

“I learnt about the huge impact charities have in providing support and about how much our community needs the support.

“After attending the YPI National Event, I felt inspired by the passion of everyone on stage and how it was clear they enjoyed sharing their desire to bring about change for their social issues.”

One of the charities which received support thanks to young people’s advocacy through YPI in Shetland was Mind Your Head.

Gill Gover, Service Manager at Mind Your Head, said: “YPI is a fantastic initiative and has had multiple benefits to Mind Your Head; not only the obvious grant itself, but also through raising awareness of our charity, and encouraging young people to talk about mental health and wellbeing and normalising conversations about mental health. 

“This year, we were particularly struck by how openly one of the groups spoke about their own mental health. It is something that we hope for everyone, to feel comfortable to talk about mental health and wellbeing in their everyday lives.”

The charity continues to engage with the pupils who represented them through YPI, ensuring young people have a voice in shaping services that are relevant to their needs.

The local delivery of YPI in Shetland is also supported by Voluntary Action Shetland, the area’s Third Sector Interface.

“YPI not only develops young people’s awareness of the wide range of voluntary groups available to help and support individuals, but it also offers opportunities to connect with charities, and become more aware of volunteering and how they, themselves, could get involved,” said Lynn Tulloch, Executive Officer at Voluntary Action Shetland.

“Through our engagement with schools taking part in YPI, it has also provided a great opportunity for our Youth Development Worker to promote the Saltire Awards, a Scottish Government National Youth Volunteer Awards Scheme which celebrates, recognises and rewards the commitment, contribution and achievement of young volunteers in Scotland.”

Thanks to Arven’s support, young people across Shetland are being inspired and empowered to make a meaningful difference in their communities, now and for the future.

Aaron Priest, Stakeholder Manager at Arven Offshore Wind Farm, which has been a Community Partner of YPI in Shetland since 2023, said: “At Arven, we want our work in Shetland to deliver lasting value beyond our own project. Partnering with YPI is a meaningful part in achieving that aim, giving young people the skills, confidence and voice to champion causes that matter to them.

“It is inspiring to see the passion and commitment they bring, and we are proud that our support is helping them create real and positive change in their communities.”