National youth information and citizenship charity Young Scot has unveiled the direction the organisation will take over the next three years with the launch of its new strategic plan.

What matters most?

The development of the strategic plan was led by a diverse group of young people from across Scotland, all of whom could bring their own experiences, ideas and expertise, and making sure young people were at the forefront of planning.

#YSThree sought the views of young people and stakeholders to identify the issues that will be most important for young people in 2019-2022.

Young people identified mental health as the number one issue that faces young people in the next three years, followed by; drugs, money, Scotland’s future with Europe and unemployment.

Megan McSharry, #YSThree member said, “Being a member of #YSThree was such an excellent opportunity to gain more knowledge and understanding of who Young Scot are and what they want to do in Scotland.

It is so useful for young people to be involved in processes such as #YSThree. Not only for skill development, but also to take part in shaping such a core document which will widely impact the future of Young Scot and young people in Scotland.

In following the new Strategic Plan, Young Scot aim to engage and empower young people alongside encouraging the Year of Young People 2018 legacy.”

Young Scot also reached out to stakeholders for their views on top issues for young people over the next three years, with mental health, money, Brexit, employment and poverty coming out top.

From recommendations to action

Young Scot has taken on board the findings from the #YSThree engagement and listened to a wealth of expertise from young people and stakeholders to inform a three-year strategy which will deliver on three key strategic objectives – Informed, Connected and Empowered Young People.

Young Scot will launch a refreshed young.scot digital platform, providing a one-stop shop of youth information and opportunities, develop the next evolution of the Young Scot National Entitlement Card with a YSNEC wallet/app and rewards membership platform, and a move towards empowering young people through service design, allowing young people to become System Changers and influencers.

Louise Macdonald, Chief Executive of Young Scot said “The Young Scot three-year strategic plan was led by young people. Young people’s ideas, vision, concerns and hopes are at the heart of our new strategic plan, led by the amazing #YSThree group.

Young Scot will take this forward in our work over the next three years, and make sure what we do is for young people, by young people. With young people leading the way, Young Scot can continue to evolve to amplify the voices of young people in Scotland, locally, nationally and globally.”

You can read the new strategic plan document here.