Sarah and Tony are two young Scots who’ve been involved in projects funded by Young Start grants. It’s changed their lives.

For Sarah Colquhoun, Impact Arts’ Creative Pathways programme opened up the fashion world to her. Sarah was unemployed when she joined their Eco-Chic Fashion Freak project where she developed her sewing skills and unleashed her creative side. She’s taken part in a sustainable fashion event for Waste Aware Edinburgh and was the first in the Eco group to sell her work publicly. Sarah has spoken up for unemployed young people at the Scottish Parliament, given her views on the Eco-Chic Fashion Show to local radio, and is now applying for funding to set up her own recycled fashion business.

Tony McDonald volunteers at the Safety Zone Community Centre in Bargeddie, Glasgow. Caring for his gran at the time meant his school work was interrupted but the school helped so Tony could attend classes and they set up space for him at The Safety Zone Centre where he could also study.

Thanks to that support Tony passed six Standard Grades and completed several training courses. He continues to volunteer at the Safety Zone and has recently achieved his Principles and Practices in Youth Work Level with North Lanarkshire Council, he also completed the REHIS Food Safety Course, as well as a First Aid Certificate, and is currently applying to college to continue his studies.

Over the last 12 months young people from all walks of life have shared in the multi-million Young Start scheme. Today (March 14) sees the first anniversary of this innovative fund which aims to help young Scots aged eight to 24 reach their full potential.

So best of luck to both Sarah and Tony, and to today’s 26 projects receiving Young Start funding which brings the total invested in young people to £7,088,105.