Red Cross Youth programme SafeMates
Congratulations to the British Red Cross on receiving a £750,000 grant from the Scottish Government’s CashBack for Communities Phase 7 scheme which will go towards expanding their Red Cross Youth programme SafeMates and opening dedicated peer support hubs in Glasgow, Dundee and Inverness.
I have photographed for the British Red Cross for over twenty years, witnessing and documenting the SafeMates programme grow. I have covered all manner of events, from the support that they give at music festivals, to marketing, conferences and wellbeing skills training.
‘SafeMates Scotland – Peer Support through Cashback’ will empower young people to build confidence, resilience, and become a powerful force for good within their communities.
Over the next 3 years, the British Red Cross will train more than 1,000 young people to become skilled volunteer peer supporters, giving them the practical and emotional skills to help their peers at local events, freshers’ fairs, music festivals and in their own communities. SafeMates teaches valuable skills, builds confidence and resilience, and supports young people facing challenges such as anxiety, exam stress and concerns around mental health or substance use.
The programme’s expansion in Scotland follows the success of existing SafeMates volunteers who have previously offered support in community hubs, across university campuses and at festivals, where they supported 5,254 young people.
Find out more: https://lnkd.in/eAt-4iWa
