For Funders

Evidence of Need

Muirhouse is an area of deep-seated deprivation that falls within deciles 1 & 2 in the Scottish Government’s Social Indices of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD). This means there are significant and long-term barriers to be overcome to enable young people to break the cycle, make positive choices and truly flourish. Muirhouse has a culturally diverse population with between 21% and 30% comprising Black, Asian and other ethnic minority groups. MYDG welcomes young people from all backgrounds and is sensitive to different cultural and faith-based needs. We know our work is impactful because we have robust evaluation measures in place which are shared below for transparency.

Experiences gained by young people

Children and young people experience MYDG as a place where they: 

  • Feel safe, supported and valued as individuals 

  • Enjoy new, enriching activities alongside peers

  • Participate in outdoor and physical activities and trips

  • Build friendships and develop self-confidence

  • Have agency to influence and shape youth work programmes

  • Enjoy racially/culturally-sensitive acceptance and support

  • Broaden their horizons through volunteering, mentorship and progression routes to employment

Outcomes achieved

Children and Young People 

  • Gain improved wellbeing, better able to manage and regulate their emotions

  • Grow in confidence, self-esteem and aspirations

  • Are increasingly able to participate more fully in education, friendships and community

  • Make more positive lifestyle choices

  • Commit to meaningful work experience that improves their prospects

Families

  • Parents feel supported, enabling family and community relationships to strengthen 

Wider Systems Level Change 

  • Focused youth development work is recognised and valued as having far-reaching, life-changing impacts

  • School leaders show greater recognition of youth development work as a means of overcoming challenging behaviours leading to increased collaboration

  • Programmes are embedded and funded longer-term creating greater sustainability and impact

Evaluation work

We have developed robust evaluation measures to capture the views of young people and more nuanced observations of youth workers. This enables us to share Facts and Stats about the outcomes we’re achieving for the young people we support. For transparency, examples are here:

Case for Support

To read our Case for Support for ‘unrestricted’ grants please click here.

“…Our Youth Worker decided to take a walk with the lad to give him time to talk, reflect and process, as we all need to do in order to learn, adapt and overcome. Afterwards, the lad said, ‘Thank you so much. You guys have honestly been everything to me. If it wasn’t for you, I would be in a very bad place.’ "

A Youth Worker’s Story

“Having been involved with MYDG since the age of 12 as a participant and throughout my whole adult life starting as a volunteer and transitioning from sessional staff to full time worker, I have experienced first hand over the 21 years the impact that youth work has on a young person’s life (present & future). Personally it helped me overcome anxieties I had as a teenager from a low income family & helped me feel included, giving me life experiences from social skills, outdoor learning, overnight camps & simple trips during the holidays that otherwise I couldn’t afford! Having left school at 15 with very little qualifications, MYDG helped me to gain many accreditations in practical activities such as bike maintenance, sports, and outdoor learning which had a massive impact on my confidence after feeling failed by the schooling system. By the time I was 17 I was ready to broaden my horizons and MYDG took me on my first experience of flying to a youth exchange in Germany which completely changed my views on different cultures & showed me the world is bigger than Scotland. In 2012 I had the honour of meeting Prince Charles, being an Olympic torch bearer and finishing off with 3 months volunteering in Borneo, this was the best and most memorable year of my life. All of these life changing opportunities I have MYDG to thank for! Now being a full-time youth worker I get to witness young people on their own journeys, sharing similar experiences to mine while trying to help shape them into the best versions of themselves providing them with vital skills that will help them throughout their future. Having spent almost two-thirds of my life being involved with this charity I have gained a real connection & commitment to changing the lives of young people in North Edinburgh.”

Looking Ahead

MYDG’s strategic plan puts a focus on delivering more early intervention work, enhancing girls work to achieve greater participation, ensuring good use of our Pilton Retreat (social enterprise) and rebuilding trips that were paused in lockdown and again in the cost-of-living crisis. These trips were hugely beneficial in giving young people fresh perspectives, experiences and aspirations.


For more information contact sarah@mydg.org.uk