Volunteer Opportunity: Take part in a youth panel for Transport Scotland

We’re looking for young people aged 11-18 to take part in a co-design panel that will inform a new free bikes programme for young people due to rollout across Scotland next year. We’re especially interested in hearing from young people with diverse experiences and backgrounds including those from lower SIMD areas, care experienced, young carers, living rurally or living with disabilities.

No previous experience is necessary, and you don’t need to be a bike enthusiast to apply! We currently have 16 enthusiastic and friendly young people on the panel but we’re looking for a few more to help make it more representative of Scottish young people.

What’s involved?

The role of the panel is to explore Transport Scotland’s pilot scheme currently running that offers free bikes to eligible young people under 18. As a group, you’ll be supported to identify ways this scheme could be improved and test out these ideas along the way before producing a final report of your ideas at the end of the project.

Dedicated Young Scot staff will be on-hand to support you throughout the project too. We’re also happy to make reasonable adjustments to enable all young people to take part, and there will be an opportunity when you apply to tell us about any support or adjustments you need to contribute fully.

Project information

🎂 11-18 years old

📅 November 2022 – April 2023 with a mix of online Zoom calls and in person workshops.

⏰ The next workshop is planned for Saturday 3^rd December in-person at Caledonian Exchange, central Edinburgh from 10.30-4pm.

🚌 Travel, Food and Accommodation are paid for when taking part in any project activity. Digital support is also available to take part.

How to apply

If you know a young person who would be interested in getting involved, please invite them to complete the following online form to apply online via Alchemer.

👉🏼Apply for the Free Bikes Programme Co-design Panel

This application form is also available as a word document and we will also accept verbal applications made using video or voice recording over the phone. Please contact YSHive@young.scot to arrange this.

Next steps 

After you’ve applied, we will invite you to meet with a couple of Young Scot staff via Zoom for an informal chat. This will last roughly around 15 minutes and will be a chance for us to get to know you and tell you more about the project.

Questions? 

Email us on YSHive@young.scot if you have any questions or would like to know more about this project – we’re happy to help!

More information

We’ll ensure this session is a safe and trusted place for you to participate. We do not accept any form of discrimination or prejudice against anyone on our projects based on your life experience, background, culture, or identity. This includes age, disability, gender identity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.

Find out more about #YSHive.

Check out our #YSHive Frequently Asked Questions.

Find more opportunities to get involved.

Free Bikes Programme Co-Design Panel Application Form

Please find the latest Vacancy Newsletter here

Please see information about activities for kids in the October school holidays here

Please find the 2022/23 Preston Lodge HS Activity programme here

We would encourage all parents/carers to discuss these opportunities with your child(ren) and sign them up to a couple of activities.

We have a wide range of activities starting over the next few weeks, as well as aspirations to start more.

Even if your child took part last term/year, please register them for the coming year.

All bookings can be made using the following link:

http://www.eastlothian.gov.uk/active-schools-preston-lodge

We are also keen to hear from any pupil who may be interested in learning or developing their Leadership Skills by helping out at a Prestonpans Primary activity or perhaps a Junior Preston lodge HS activity.

If your child is interested, please do not hesitate to contact Mark Urwin directly.

Alternatively, they can pop into my office in the PLHS PE Dept. to have a chat.

EL Works will have classes in Musselburgh and Haddington at different levels from 26 September 2022.
Some face-to-face classes will be held in Musselburgh and Haddington at different levels from 24 October 2022 (after the October break). However, from 26 September all of our groups will begin online. They will then decide which ones will stay online and which will be face-toface. The tutor will ask you for your preference.

Please contact East Lothian Works, elworks@eastlothian.gov.uk
for more information.

More information can be found here too.

If you are aged 16-19 you may be eligible for EMA, click the link below for more information.

EMA

Prestonpans Pump Track – Children & Young People’s View

Pump Tracks offer a fun, safe space for all ages and abilities to enjoy a range of wheel based activities including BMX bikes, scooters, skateboards and rollerblades.

The Ormiston Pump Track is already much-used and valued by its community and we’re keen to work with our partners to help more areas enjoy these benefits.

Please find a link to the pump track information page on the ELC website – https://www.eastlothian.gov.uk/pump-tracks.

The site also contains a link to the Prestonpans pump track page which includes additional details on potential locations and a link to the public consolation for that area.

An early mapping exercise identified a number of Council-owned areas in Haddington that might be suitable for a pump track. Each location has its own unique attributes and opportunities, meaning that community views are essential to identifying the most appropriate space that could be progressed. The council is particularly keen to hear from children and young people and other groups who would use a pump track.  All projects are subject to further detailed design, planning permission and full project funding, with the views of local people vital to help shape the projects at concept stage.

A pump track is designed to create a safe, fun and inclusive playground for all wheels-based users regardless of age or gender. They provide a playground for kids and adults from beginners to professionals and a sustainable and fun-packed activity for everyone in the community.

We hope you will find time to look over the Prestonpans pump track page which includes additional details on potential locations and contribute to the public consolation for that area.

Audition for our awesome High School Musical summer school, then perform the show live to a theatre audience over four nights in August.

If you are aged 8 -18 and free from Monday 1 to Saturday 13 August, you could star as Troy, Gabriella or Sharpay in this exciting new amateur production.

The full two week summer school will cost £195 and auditions are on Sunday 26 June 4pm – 7pm at The Brunton.

Line up of summer shows;

My Friend Selkie, The Polar Bears Go Go Go and Funbox’s How to be a Superhero for 3+ to our wonderful outdoor theatre events with The Tale of Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny taking over Musselburgh Race Course and A Midsummer Night’s Dream taking place on Fisherrow Links. And let’s not forget our production of High School Musical where families can enjoy watching local children take to the stage as Troy, Gabriella and Sharpay!

The Polar Bears Go Go Go

Sat 6 August 11am and 2pm £10 adult, £8 child (£32 family of 4)

The Polar Bears are off on their holiday adventures. What could go wrong? Join the very lovable but slightly hapless duo as they set Will they ever reach their destination?

My Friend Selkie

Thursday 11 August 11am and 2.30pm £6

What Moves You present this delightful Scottish children’s show for 3 – 8 years. My Friend Selkie is a heart-warming story of friendship and facing challenges, together.

High School Musical ( amateur production)

Thursday 11 – Saturday 13 Aug 2pm & 7.30pm £16 adult, £14 child

The Brunton in partnership with Tommie Travers and David Ross are thrilled to present Disney’s High School Musical. After the success of Oliver! in 2019, and the return to live theatre in 2021 with Matilda, we are thrilled to present Disney’s High School Musical – our third Summer School!

 A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Sat 13 Aug 7pm £16 (£14),  £10 under 18

Illyria presents Shakespeare’s timeless comic masterpiece explores every colour in the spectrum of love.

Ages 8+ Please dress for the weather and bring your own low backed chair.

The Tale of Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny

Sat 27 Aug 1pm & 4pm £11 adult, £10 child (£40 family of 4)

Quantum Theatre bring Beatrix Potter’s most famous creations to life at Musselburgh Racecourse.

Peter Rabbit and his naughty cousin Benjamin know very well that they are not to go into Mr McGregor’s garden, but they cannot resist and soon they find themselves face to face Mr McGregor himself!

Please dress for the weather and bring your own low backed chair.

FUNBOX How to be a Superhero

Saturday 3 September 1pm & 3.30pm £12.50 | £46 Family of 4

Singalong silliness with the Funbox team. Its time to pull on your spandex, slap on your capes and head up, up and away with Funbox!