Retired head teacher, and Scottish National Party (SNP) candidate for the East Sutherland and Edderton Highland Council by-election to be held on 25th June, has heaped praise on the third sector in the region during Volunteer Week 2026.
Rebecca Machin, who amongst other posts taught at Dornoch Academy, was enthusiastic about both young people and the adults who help in their communities.
“We often hear people moaning about “the youth of today” and then, in the next breath, concede that there’s not much for our youngsters to do.
“Often, these same people refer to school and education and talk about formal studies, subjects studied and exams.
“And yet, when we apply for jobs, further education courses or to volunteer in an organisation, the academic element is already defined by the job description.
“The bar is set, everyone applying knows whether or not they have reached that standard.”
“So, what separates the candidates?
As I often used to tell my senior phase pupils:
“What makes you stand out?
“What have you done that sets you apart from everyone else with your grades?
“Why should they choose you?”
It was the inspiration behind developing their wider achievements portfolios.
“One of the most interesting activities schools can participate in is the Youth Philanthropy Initiative (YPI).
“Funded by the Wood Foundation, YPI asks pupils to research social needs in their area and then choose a charity before presenting their findings to an audience, the carrot? £4,000 is there to be won and donated to that same charity.
“It is simply one of the best examples of wider achievement and extra-curricular activities ever brought wholesale into schools.
“It broadens young people’s understanding of their community, it encourages all sorts of skills useful in the working world, presenting, researching, communicating and it also offers tangible results which impact their own community.
“But it’s also fascinating as a school leader because what you see is the range of social enterprises, charities and SCIOs offering services and activities in each village and town in your catchment and so, what is also available to the youngsters.
“These ebb and flow, as do folks’ time commitments and availability to volunteer.
“You often find a dynamic leader at the centre of these voluntary groups that provides the drive, a “force of nature.”
Machin, who is a community councillor, in addition to having volunteered in various charity and third sector organisations said:
“But it also highlights the current availability of out-of-school activities available to youngsters in our villages.
“There is an inequality.
“And what the youngsters also come to realise is the precarious nature of their sustainability; our local third sector organisations competing for ever narrowing pots of money; services young people come to rely on struggling to cover core funding to pay staff and overheads; juggling to provide essential opportunities and activities for our young people with the realities of resources and the limited time volunteers have available away from their families in a cost of living crisis.
“Walking down Golpsie High Street you will find two charity shops with just such aims.
“TYKES is an organisation I came to know when I first started at Dornoch Academy in 2007, offering respite and support to over 100 young carers across Sutherland.
“Golpsie Youth Action Project has blossomed over the last few years, now offering youth clubs to over 150 youngsters two nights a week, football and dancing clubs, holiday takeaway lunches, volunteering and work experience activities to youngsters within the Golspie area.
“It gained over 190 certificates in the last three years, recognising wider achievement for young people via Saltire, and Qualification Scotland accredited Youth Achievement and Dynamic Youth Awards.
“And those are just examples found on one High Street in one town in the ward of East Sutherland and Edderton.
“Organisations who serve our communities with little in the way of public funding but with huge amounts of imagination, innovation and love.
“This week is Volunteer Week 2026 and, it turns out, that what the “youth of today” really need is for the adults of today to put whatever time, energy and support they have available to ensure the development, sustainability and resilience of these organisations, which, in turn, enables the space and experiences for our youngsters to thrive.”
