Engaging Young People in Heritage

Over the last two years, YouthLink Scotland has supported 10 youth groups across Scotland including 20 youth workers and 100 young people to conduct research in their communities.  They have developed a youth-led research approach which means that young people are supported to conduct research in line with the essential features of youth work:

• Young people choose to participate
• The work must build from where young people are
• The young person and youth worker are recognised as partners in the learning process.

Through Scotswummin and Youngwummin they have provided training to the early career youth workers in youth work, youth-led research and heritage skills. They have then used the knowledge and skills they have developed to work directly with young people. The focus of the last couple of years has been inspirational women and the impact of WW1 on young women in Scotland.

This resource is intended for use for anyone working with young people who would like to engage them with heritage using a youth-led research approach. YouthLink Scotland have shared all our learning materials, top tips, examples of final outputs from the young people’s research, sessions plans and activities as well as our reflections on how these worked.  This resource can be used to engage young people in any subject area but will be based on their learning of exploring women’s history.

To view the resource, visit the YouthLink Scotland website.