THE creme de la creme of the region’s youths have been celebrated in a glittering awards ceremony.
Young people, invited guests and organisations from across the region gathered in the Easterbrook Hall, Dumfries to take part in the annual Dumfries and Galloway Youth Awards.
The evening got underway with an energetic cheerleading performance from Envy Cheerleading from Stranraer, followed by opening remarks from Ailsa McDairmant, chair of Dumfries and Galloway Youth Council.
She said: “We are incredibly grateful to our funders at the National Lottery and the Young Game Changers Fund for making the DG Youth Awards 2024 possible. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all winners, finalists, those who were awarded certificates, and I would also like to thank every young person from across Dumfries and Galloway for continuing to provide a source of positivity and inspiration for us all.”
Iain Corbett, from the University of Strathclyde’s Children and Young People’s Centre for Justice, delivered the keynote speech in which he described the importance of youth work and its ability to build resilience and confidence, as well as the pressures young people face in today’s world and the impact this can have on them.
The audience then heard the inspirational stories of the 24 young finalists, who were shortlisted from just over 200 nominations with the final category winners announced on the night.
In addition, a live audience vote was held to find the overall Young Person of the Year — with Josh Parker declared the winner.
Speaking after the event, Councillor Maureen Johnstone, provost of Dumfries, said: “The stories and journeys of the young people who received awards are inspirational and I am extremely proud of their achievements, and it was fantastic to celebrate them.
“Youth Work is happening in communities the length and breadth of Dumfries and Galloway, and as a region we should be proud of that.”
