Young Scot Next #YSNext is our new ‘next steps to employment’ package for 16-25-year-olds who are not in employment, training or education. It’s designed to connect young people to opportunities to develop new skills, make their everyday living easier, and promote good health and wellbeing.

Here at Young Scot, we are thrilled to be one of 100 UK charities chosen to receive a donation as part of Barclays’ £10m 100x100 UK COVID-19 Community Relief Programme. With Barclay's support, the project will run until the end of March.

The impact of lockdown on young people’s lives has already been enormous, and there is much more to come. The full extent is yet to be realised, but already we know that without proactive and targeted support, young people are on track to be one of the groups most negatively impacted by the results of lockdown.

With the support funding from Barclays, young people who sign up to the #YSNext will get access to a variety of Young Scot Rewards. These include vouchers for clothing, books and equipment. It also includes subscriptions to a mindfulness app, and access to Skillshare – who provide thousands of professional classes in design, business, and more.

“This crisis has had an unprecedented impact across Scotland and we know this is an incredibly challenging time for many. By supporting young people impacted by Covid-19 Young Scot Enterprise has played a vital role in this crisis, and continue to do so. At Barclays we are doing everything we can for our customers, clients and colleagues to help them through this pandemic. We hope that the donations we are making to charities like Young Scot Enterprise will allow them to amplify their vital work and support more people as the crisis develops.” Scott Stewart, Head of Barclays Scotland.

“Every young person in Scotland deserves an equal opportunity to reach their full potential. Young Scot Next #YSNext will help us to support young people to develop new skills, and support them on their journey into employment. Thank you to Barclays Scotland for making this programme possible.” Louise Macdonald, CEO, Young Scot