School Pupils outline a new perspective

School pupils from across southern Scotland are telling the government what makes them feel healthy, safe and respected.

Entries to the Scottish Government’s Wellbeing competition have been coming in since March from young people between 11 and 15-years-old.

The competition asks entrants to use creative writing or drawing to demonstrate what wellbeing means to them.

Children’s Minister Aileen Campbell said:

“The range of topics and styles entrants are using shows how incredibly perceptive young teenagers are and this competition has given us a chance to find out how they feel about the issues that are most important to them.

“Some of the stories and artwork that have come in so far are brutally honest and very moving. One gives a young person’s perspective of domestic abuse while another uses really poignant descriptions of how it feels to be marginalised because you choose to look different.

“I know that many schools across the Scottish Borders and Dumfries and Galloway may be taking on creative writing projects as we approach International Literacy Day on September 8th – and that might be the perfect opportunity to write something for the competition.”

Up to ten winners will be chosen, from a writing category and a drawing category, and they’ll be invited to help produce a Scottish Government guide for young people on how it aims to support their wellbeing in all aspects of their lives.

Ms Campbell added: “Only this week the Scottish Parliament began hearing evidence for a new Children and Young People Bill that has the power to transform the way we can support children and families.

“The closing date for entries is not until the end of September and I encourage anyone with an interest to think about entering. Every entry is helping us look at what needs to be done if we are to realise our ambition of making Scotland the best place in the world to grow up.”

The approach is called ‘Getting it right for every child’ (GIRFEC). It focuses on the wellbeing of young people and puts them at the heart of decisions that affect them.
It works by supporting many family services to work more closely together, including teachers, health boards and Police Scotland.

When the guide is ready, the winners and their families will enjoy a day out in Edinburgh, including a tour of the Parliament where they will present the finished product to the Minister for Children.

Alan Moffat of Police Scotland said:

“There is a great deal of talent among the entries that have come in so far and it reinforces what we have been hearing since GIRFEC was launched – young people recognise that they need positive experiences to grow into healthy and successful adults.

“GIRFEC involves many people which means there is the greatest potential to make a positive difference to any young person needing support or assistance. Each entry expresses this in a different way, but all of them are showing us that the work we are doing is shaping young people’s expectations and experience.

“The young people’s entries so far are thoughtful and thought-provoking. Their drawings are full of vibrancy, colour and life.”

There’s still time to enter the competition, which doesn’t close until 30 September 2013. For more information or to enter please click here.