It was a memorable evening for everyone who attended the National Youth Work Awards Ceremony at the Hilton DoubleTree in Glasgow on Wednesday, 3 June, Delivered by YouthLink Scotland.

The event brought together winners, finalists and sponsors in a celebration filled with glitz, glamour and plenty of shapes thrown down the red-carpet.

More than just an awards ceremony, the evening reflected the passion, energy and commitment that drive Scotland’s youth work sector. It highlighted the dedication of individuals and organisations who work tirelessly to help young people realise their potential and thrive through the transformative power of youth work.

The breadth and impact of the work recognised on the night was truly inspiring. Through powerful videos, case studies, interviews and personal stories, attendees were given a glimpse into the achievements of Scotland’s youth work champions, people at the heart of a movement that is resilient, innovative and committed to creating positive change for young people across the country.

Youth work is one of many ways a trusted adult plays a vital role in shaping a young person’s future.

Strongly aligned to our values and mission, MCR pathways was proud to sponsor the ‘Recognising Skills and Achievement’ award.

“MCR Pathways is honoured to sponsor this year’s National Youth Work Awards.” said Sharon McIntyre, Chief Executive Officer.

Sharon continues: “We proudly stand united with YouthLink Scotland and all youth organisations, in  supporting and inspiring Scotland’s young people. Trusted Adults play a vital role alongside youth work in helping young people access support, realise their potential and build the self-belief needed to pursue their career aspirations and life ambitions. Collaboration across services and sectors creates so much more opportunities for young people in every Scottish community.   We are delighted and proud to stand alongside so many organisations that share our values, mission, and ambition to empower young people to thrive and pursue positive futures.”

Announcing our incredible category winner – Ready2Thrive – West Dunbartonshire Council

For young people who couldn’t face a classroom or group setting, Ready2Thrive starts somewhere different, one conversation at a time. Since 2023, the programme has supported 56 young people, many for whom this was their first structured support, with 63% progressing into positive destinations. Through tailored one-to-one coaching, young people build confidence, learn to travel independently, improve wellbeing and gain recognised awards, with 47 qualifications achieved to date. For many, it’s a turning point. One young person who had rarely left home is now in college, volunteering and travelling independently, something that once felt impossible.

“It feels absolutely amazing. I had to take it all in. I’m so glad it’s been recognised and that more people have heard about the amazing programme that Jillian has developed. It’s absolutely brilliant.” Says Joanne Duffy (pictured above).

Jillian Campbell joined Joanne to represent Ready2Thrive on the night,, who said: “That trusted adult is incredibly important because so much of our time is spent building trust. It’s about giving young people a positive experience of support so that they’re more open to engaging with opportunities in the future.”

Jillian continues: “The young people who come to our project are often really disengaged and not engaging with other services. What we’re focused on is that first step of engagement. While we are employability funded and always have an employability goal in mind, we’re fundamentally an engagement programme. We help bring young people back into society, and that trusted relationship is often where the journey begins.”

It’s similar to the MCR Pathways approach – you’re working with young people at an early stage to help them sustain their education and move forward.”

The first of our fantastic runner-up finalists – North Lanarkshire Council – Young Adult Project  

“On paper I was unemployable. Now I’m a youth worker.” That’s the impact of North Lanarkshire’s Young Adult Project, a programme designed to tackle youth unemployment by offering real jobs, real support and real belief.

Through 12-month paid placements, participants gain qualifications, skills and experience, with an average of seven qualifications each. Outcomes are strong: 12 of 17 participants progressed into employment, with others moving into further roles or higher education.

Young people have presented to councillors, featured in national media and supported others through the programme. For many, it’s not just about work, it’s about identity, confidence and a future they didn’t think was possible.

Followed by the inspirational Include Me 2 Club - Positive Pathways

For young people who felt written off by education, success didn’t come in exams, it came here. Include Me 2 Club has created a pathway where young people with disabilities and additional support needs gain real recognition, with over 150 awards achieved in 2024, rising to more than 240 in 2025.

Through creative, vocational and enterprise programmes, young people build skills, confidence and independence, often for the first time. Many progress into volunteering, mentoring and employment. One young person, who had stopped attending school, went on to perform in front of 2,000 people and now supports others as a mentor, a journey from exclusion to leadership.

 

A massive congratulations to all the finalists on the night. Find out more about the event by visiting: https://www.youthlink.scot/awards/ylsawards-2026-winners/ 

Find out more about becoming a volunteer mentor with MCR Pathways: https://mcrpathways.org/become-a-mentor/