Councillor Davidson praises Edinburgh Youth Clubs

Councillor Euan Davidson, Liberal Democrat member of Edinburgh Council's Education, Children, Families and Justice Committee, spoke at a recent LAYC event at the City Chambers.

"As always, thank you to the Lothian Association of Youth Clubs for organising such a fantastic event. It is great that as a council we're able to express our gratitude to all the youth workers, community organisations, and young people who really are the backbone of so many of our communities. 

Both as a young person and later working in the sector youth work changed my life. Too often in the past we've been seen as a “cinderella service”, a “nice to have”. I genuinely hope that this has begun to shift. And there is now a recognition that the services in this room are the quiet superpowers in improving our communities. 

Everyone in this room knows that this sector is one of the best placed to deliver the council and wider city's objectives. Whether its tackling poverty, building this city into a place where everyone is welcome, tackling the ecological crisis head on, or improving community safety youth workers are tackling the most complex issues head on.  

Last year's “Connected Communities: Lessons Learned” report highlighted the strength that genuine collaboration between the council, third-sector organisations, and community groups can bring. This partnership approach is pivotal in delivering services that are responsive to local needs and getting the most from the constrained resources we're all working under.

I was lucky enough to speak at the original launch of this strategy where we all emphasises the importance of listening to the voices of all our young people and ensuring they have the support and opportunities to thrive.

The next stage of this strategy needs to be about developing even more platforms for young people to engage, lead, and influence decisions that effect their lives. Educating and empowering our young people to take advantage of their rights is not a nice to have but the key to keeping this the best city in the world to live in where every single young person has the chance to flourish."