Introduction

The young people from Alyth Youth Partnership, their youth leaders and some members of the community attended Young Placechangers training, arranged as part of the Perth and Kinross Young Placechangers project in partnership with The Gannochy Trust. They then applied for Ideas Fund support.

Young Placechangers project in a nutshell

Their initial idea was to develop a meeting space in Alyth Town Centre. This would involve tidying an area in the town square and installing a ‘blether bench’ to help with loneliness.  They wanted to focus on what is good about their hometown, and making it better.

With more individuals and other community groups meeting outside, they then decided they would create a covered seating area, with lighting and planting. They researched some cool benches online, but they were very expensive. By talking to local businesses, they are getting something made locally that they have helped to design and will help to paint.

They have gained confidence and learnt to engage with others in the community. Covid restrictions came into place to slow the project, which they have turned into an opportunity to develop their ideas. There will be a celebratory opening event in the summer of 2021.

“I feel much more confident speaking to members of the community, having been involved in such a fun project that will benefit so many people”

“Really proud that something we came up with is actually going to happen, and will be on show in the centre of town for people to see and use”

“It feels much more like our community now”

“We learnt to appreciate the town we live in”

“ I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else!”

Community Placemaking and the Place Standard

It allowed the group to think about how they could improve Alyth, not only for the young people, but for the wider community, and even visiting tourists. They made a point of concentrating on what they liked about Alyth, to be in a positive mindset and then make things even better.

Next steps and new partnerships

28 young people organised a weekly Saturday litter pick during July 2020 – an additional part of the project that came from looking at the town and seeing how they could improve it.

The young folk are working with Alyth in Bloom, and with local businesses (like Gavin the joiner). They also talked to Alyth Community Council to make sure their project did not conflict with other things going on in the town, and to make sure they got the right permissions.

Project of the Month May 2021: Alyth Youth Partnership - young people tackle rural isolation

Alyth Youth Partnership Facebook page More Young Placechangers case studies

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greenspace scotland engages and empowers young people through the Young Placechangers programme.

Young Placechangers puts young people in the lead role – bringing together the wider community to look at local spaces and plan improvements. The Young Placechangers programme has used a co-production approach to develop and pilot a training and support programme enabling young people to transform both the place they live, their relationship to it and the wider community.

Young Placechangers