![large group of people waving their hands in the air, some kneeling at the from and most standing in a semi-circle shape facing the camera.](https://yin.scot/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/d5b2a6be-bdbb-47dd-853a-7600fb87b2b4.jpg)
On Monday the 14th August, Young Islanders from the Isle of Lewis, Tiree and Orkney attended Youth Scotland’s 2023 Big Ideas.
Big Ideas is a residential event (this year held in Stirling) and is all about engaging, inspiring and empowering young people and youth workers to take the lead in their local communities. This 2 day event comprised an action-packed programme of fun and engaging workshops for young people and a separate workshop list for workers to ignite new ideas and gain new experiences. As part of the Young Islanders Network, our young people were offered a free place at Big Ideas and were also able to stay an extra night at the university Halls.
![5 young people sitting in a row smiling with glitter make up](https://yin.scot/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/306c873c-fb8d-4f4b-b4b3-a6db50fa3488.jpg)
Throughout the 2 days, our young islanders- Mathew and Saphire from the Isle of Tiree, Vee, Maimie and Cameron from Isle of Lewis and Iona, Blake, Taylor and Anja from Orkney,took part in a series of workshops and challenges of their own choice. The wide range of options including festival Mind and draw sessions, outdoor challenges, ice breakers and special effects makeup-Mathew giving us all a fright appearing for the evening games still with a very convincing bruise on his face.
![young person sitting at table with paint bottles, drawing a picture from their phone](https://yin.scot/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/ffda410c-b166-49f3-9f05-059a2d7f6201.jpg)
![young person, smiling and holding up two small bottles one blue an done brown of homemade potions.](https://yin.scot/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/5f090049-9b15-4d67-8736-3b217f451cad.jpg)
![5 young islanders from Orkney holding their award certificates](https://yin.scot/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/b6f37591-e462-496e-b265-58d027ed1314-1024x819.jpg)
![young person with blue hoodie and special effects make up and glitter festival make up](https://yin.scot/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/3c065398-4398-4dee-a27c-0e381f290741.jpg)
See quotes below from our young islanders on how they found the experience.
![](https://yin.scot/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/1-1024x1024.png)
![](https://yin.scot/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/2-1024x1024.png)
![](https://yin.scot/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/3-1024x1024.png)
![](https://yin.scot/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/4-1024x1024.png)
Matthew was also invited to support the Youth Scotland senior management team to show MSP Graeme Day, Minister for Higher and Further Education and Minister for Veterans, around the campus.
![5 people standing in a room with a table in the front full of artwork. people all wearing lanyards and smiling.](https://yin.scot/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/21cc8ec5-61bc-448b-aeed-c1b872a43f8b-1024x768.jpg)
![](https://yin.scot/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/81e14cfd-cb7d-43f6-ba05-32c21d9f2f84-1024x637.jpg)
If you are interested in taking part next year, make sure and stay up to date with your newsletter and our social media.