A new yellow hoodie has been launched through the High Life Highland Leadership Programme, linking youth volunteering with mental health awareness and support across the Highlands.
The initiative was unveiled on Saturday 20 December at Station Park in Nairn, with young volunteers, community partners and local organisations coming together to mark the occasion.
The new hoodie has been introduced in partnership with Mikeysline and is designed to recognise young people who commit their time to supporting mental health charities.
Participants in the Leadership Programme will now receive the yellow hoodie when they reach 150 hours of volunteering and complete a volunteering or fundraising activity for a mental health charity of their choice.
The launch event was hosted by Nairn County FC and attended by representatives from High Life Highland, Mikeysline and the first recipients of the new hoodie.
The programme has been supported by funding from the Scottish Government’s Family Wellbeing Fund, accessed through The Highland Council.
That funding has also supported the creation of the Nairn Bees Intergenerational Choir, which recently featured on STV.
Chief Executive of High Life Highland Steve Walsh said the partnership reflects the organisation’s wider purpose.
“We are delighted to be partnering with Mikeysline to introduce our latest Leadership Programme hoodie and are grateful to Nairn County for hosting this special launch.
“At High Life Highland our core aim is to make life better for people, and raising awareness about mental health while supporting charities is something our young leaders are passionate about.
“The funding support has enabled us to introduce a new target and therefore a very poignant new hoodie.”
Bee The Change Manager at Mikeysline Allana Stables said the collaboration reflected the charity’s community focused approach.
“Our Bee The Change campaign is about connecting with the community in creative ways, breaking down barriers, challenging stigma and changing the dialogue around mental health.
“To have this collaboration with the High Life Highland Leadership Programme and Nairn County is a perfect example of a person centred approach across generations.”
Chairman of Nairn County FC Kevin Reid said the club was proud to support the project.
“We are all too aware how important initiatives and partnerships like this are, and it was fantastic to see the first yellow hoodies awarded to these young stars.”
The High Life Highland Leadership Programme began in Nairn Academy in 2004 and now operates across the whole of Highland.
The programme supports young people to develop leadership skills, confidence and experience through volunteering in areas including sport, libraries, museums, music, conservation and community projects.
The first recipients of the yellow hoodies were Rosie Walker, Maisie Walker, Finlay Whittingham, Lachlan Main, Adam Mitchell, Rosie Stewart and Ruby Mackenzie.
