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Chamber and committees

Future Change Finalists at National Youth Work Awards 2025

  • Submitted by: Michelle Thomson, Falkirk East, Scottish National Party.
  • Date lodged: Monday, 04 August 2025
  • Motion reference: S6M-18453

That the Parliament congratulates Future Change, a social action movement that is led by young people within HMP & YOI Polmont, on being named a finalist at the National Youth Work Awards 2025; understands that this youth-led initiative is supported by the Children and Young People’s Centre for Justice (CYCJ), and that those participating utilise their lived experience and leadership potential to drive change within the prison; recognises that Future Change was conceptualised from the University of Glasgow’s Activate course on the topic of community learning and development; notes that Future Change is the first project of its kind within a young offenders' institute, with over 45 graduates taking part in a variety of roles, from leading participatory budgeting projects to organising Christmas hampers and engaging directly with Scottish Prison Service staff to improve daily life and build relationships; understands that members of Future Change have secured over £50,000 in funding, act as advisors to CYCJ, engage with the third sector and contribute to national research and consultations; considers that the work of Future Change members challenges negative perceptions, promotes rehabilitation and evidences that through participation it is possible to thrive in the difficult context of incarceration; congratulates Future Change once again on being named a finalist at the National Youth Work Awards 2025, and wishes all members of the project the best for the future.


Supported by: Clare Adamson, Jeremy Balfour, Miles Briggs, Sharon Dowey, Annabelle Ewing, Dr Pam Gosal MBE, Bill Kidd, Fulton MacGregor, Liam McArthur, Kevin Stewart, Paul Sweeney, Annie Wells, Tess White, Martin Whitfield