The aim of the Network is to build on the success of the Young Islanders Challenge and ensure that the voices of young islanders are heard.
In 2021 Young islanders took part in the pilot project: The Young Islanders Challenge.
Working in partnership with the Scottish Government and the National Islands Plan, Youth Scotland’s Young Islanders Challenge was created to represent the views and opinions of young people living and growing up in Scotland’s island communities.
This laid the foundations for the Young Islanders Network.
Who’s who?
The Young Islanders Network is made up of young people in Representatives and Depute roles, supported by Youth Scotland staff. They are:
Mack
Mack is from Tiree and is our Transport Rep. He is Co-Opted member on the Ferries Communications Board.
Sapphire
Sapphire is from Tiree and is our Housing and Employment Rep.
Sophie
Sophie is from Lewis and is our Social Care, Wellbeing and Mental Health Rep. She achieved her platinum Youth Achievement Award during her youth worker training.
Alex
Alex is from Arran and is our Depute Transport Rep. He is a member of one of our anchor organisations Arran Youth Foundations.
Liz
Liz is from Stronsay, Orkney and is our newest Rep for Language, Culture and Heritage. Liz is also a member of Orkney Youth Forum. She has a flair for languages and is interested in current affairs and politics. She also represents YIN on the Transport Forum in Orkney.
Maria
Maria is from Lewis and has been part of the Young Leaders programme with the Lewis and Harris Youth Clubs Association at Scaladale. Maria is the Climate change, Environment and Carbon Neutral Islands rep for the Young Islanders Network and represented YIN at the European Rural Parliament 2025.
Alex
Alex is from Arran and is our Depute Transport Rep. He is a member of one of our anchor organisations Arran Youth Foundations.
Ellie
As a previous Rep for Transport, Ellie now continues to support YIN as an adult volunteer. Ellie works for a charity providing sessions to secondary school pupils on consent, power and gender-based violence. She is also a youth worker at her local club and an active representative and steering group member for the Rural and Islands Parliament.
Andy
As a previous Rep for Housing, Andy now continues to support YIN as an adult volunteer. As previous Orkney Youth Forum Chair, he also works in a volunteer support role for the forum as well as volunteering with the Boys Brigade. He is passionate about the housing challenges faced on the islands.
Louise
Louise is the Senior Development Worker – Young islanders Network, full time and is based in Stronsay, Orkney.
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Young Islanders Network
The Young Islanders Network will become a community which joins young people together from all the islands, sharing their voices, views and experiences.
A key commitment in the National Islands Plan is that young people from all our islands will be consulted in the implementation of the Plan.
The contributions from the Young Islanders Network will ensure that the interests and priorities of Young Islanders are carefully considered and reflected in the development of the Islands Plan.
The YIN is not intended to supersede or replace any existing youth organisations and networks already operating in our island communities. Its role will be to help build on these and facilitate engagement and collaboration across our islands.
The Young Islander Champions will be invited to;
- Take part in community challenges.
- Develop their leadership skills.
- Lead on social action changes in their community.
The young people and the Youth workers who support them will be able to access Place2B and Y2B peer mental health training. We recognise from the discussions during the Pilot project that Young Islanders feel that their mental health and support in their own area is important to them.
We are currently working with youth hubs across the islands to showcase the activities of the Young Islanders Network to the whole of Scotland.
Young Islanders have said that they would like opportunities to meet face to face and to see what life is like on other islands. Through a series of local, inter-island and mainland-based events the Young Islanders will be able to come together to get to know each other and share their experiences and views on island life.
The Young Islanders will look at their hopes and aspirations for the Network and they will co-develop a plan to take the Network to the next stages in the development.