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Youth Philanthropy in action for Sporting Memories

Recently, Sporting Memories in Scotland have been fortunate to have had the support of two projects for the Youth and Philanthropy Initiatives (YPI). But before we tell you about these outstanding contributions let’s have a look at exactly what the YPI is. 

What YPI is all about 

The Youth and Philanthropy Initiative (YPI) is the biggest independent programme being delivered through Scottish education, empowering tens of thousands of young people each year to make a difference in their communities. Through teamwork, research, and competition, young people advocate for social issues in their communities in a bid to secure their school’s £3,000 grant. 

The numbers are phenomenal: 

• £7.6 million channelled to local charities through the initatives 

• 350,000 young people empowered 

• 88% of teachers believe students are becoming more active citizens thanks to YPI. 

For many young people it opens their eyes to the world outside of the classroom. For others, it gives them the opportunity to represent a cause about which they are already passionate. 

YPI provides a rich learning opportunity. Charity selection and presentation preparation are student-led, giving young people the opportunity to develop key skills, explore strengths, deploy creative approaches, and grow as active, contributing citizens. 

Our entries 

Lenzie Academy, near Kirkintilloch and Calderglen High School, East Kilbride, both chose their local Sporting Memories Clubs as entries for their school’s £3000 award. Both sets of pupils at the time of the competition were S3. (14-15 years old) 

Calderglen High School 

The team from Calderglen High School was made up of four girls, Kaitlyn, Lily, Tanya and Grace. The girls chose our Calderwood Club as their subject matter because Kaitlyn’s grandad, Joe, comes to this club and she has seen first-hand the positive impact the club has had for him. 

They did an impressive job of researching the organisation and how it works but thought they had better check they had their facts right by arranging an interview with our CEO and Co-Founder, Chris Wilkins.  

They prepared an in-depth interview which was carried out over Zoom and recorded. Chris was definitely put through his paces. The next step was to visit the club in person to see the activities in person, which they also filmed.  

Finally, they assembled all their materials complete with graphs and charts into a PowerPoint presentation for the grand final. And guess what? They only went on to win first place and £3000 which will be of huge benefit to keeping the clubs alive and vibrant locally. Picture below are Kaitlyn and Lily receiving their prize. Well done! 

Lenzie Academy 

Over at Lenzie Academy it was a different story when Adam, Carson, Finlay, Oliver and Ross were thinking about what to choose for their charity. As they said in their presentation: 

“At first,?we went into YPI thinking we wouldn’t learn much and we’d have no chance of qualifying for the final. After coming across Sporting Memories we began to take?YPI more seriously as we could relate to the charity through our love of sport.” 

Again, the Lenzie team did a fantastic job of researching Sporting Memories and this time peppered our local Community Club Co-ordinator, Jim Purvis, with searching questions and arranged to go along to our club at Kirkintilloch. As part of their submission the boys thought about what members might like to talk about and decided to put their footballing skills to the test by recreating four famous World Cup moments including the infamous Maradona “Hand of God” on their school playing field, videoing it and introducing as a fun section for the members. 

Pictured here is the team at the Presentation evening for the award.

Sadly the boys were pipped at the post for first place and the coveted £3000 prize but that hasn’t deterred them from keeping up their association with club as three of the team popped back to the Kirkintilloch Club for a fun tournament of Walking Football with members.  

Naturally such talented young lads won the tournament and a great morning was had by all. The boys then stayed on to enjoy the rest of the meeting chatting about sport past present and future. 

Pictured below are all the tourney players at Kirkintilloch looking very much the football team part.