HARDWORKING members of the Scottish Youth Parliament were honoured at the annual SYP Awards for making a real difference in the lives of young people.
The event at Portobello Town Hall was a celebration of the efforts and achievements of the MSYPs and support workers over the last 12 months, and recognised individuals who have gone above and beyond in their roles.
Taking home the top award of the night – MSYP of the Year – was Amy Lee Fraioli, who impressed the independent panel of judges with her work not only representing her constituents but supporting the efforts of her fellow MSYPs.
Helping to raise the profile of SYP and increase engagement, the 18-year-old SYP vice-chairwoman and Rutherglen MSYP, has represented the membership at a number of national and international events including meeting with the Secretary of State for Scotland in London, speaking with officials from the government of Catalonia, and meeting with the vice-chair of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and Children and the Young People’s Commissioner Scotland.
The person who nominated her said: “Amy Lee’s hard work, commitment and dedication to youth rights through her SYP role is unquestionable. She is our champion; a young person’s champion.”
The winner of Achievement of the Year and Unsung Hero was Courtney Gemmell, who has done a power of work across North Ayrshire in making support and information on mental health more accessible for young people and those who work closely with them.
Area or Group of the Year was Glasgow’s MSYPs, whose work in the development of the Glasgow Youth Council (GYC) assisted in the expansion of its membership during 2016.
The One to Watch award went to Suki Wan, MSYP for Shettleston, for her extensive work in her constituency. She is the only young person on the Joint Strategic Board of the Scottish Government’s Equally Safe programme, and has the responsibility of delivering young people’s perspectives on policy combating gender-based discrimination and violence.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here