Happy New Year, everyone! As we begin 2026, I wanted to reflect on what I got up to in 2025. 2025 has been an incredible year but a busy one, which has not always allowed for moments of reflection along the way. As Chair of the Scottish Youth Parliament, I’ve had the privilege of representing young people across Scotland and ensuring their voices are heard at every level. Here’s a look back at some of the highlights from this year.
January
- Delivered the Stevenson Lecture at the University of Glasgow, this was a celebration of 25 years of devolution, looking into the future.
- Took part in an evidence session with the Education, Children and Young People Committee at the Scottish Parliament –
- Met with Pam Duncan-Glancy MSP and Martin Whitfield MSP to discuss the youth work bill.
February
- Attended the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) Gathering, which included different breakout sessions on things like charity law.
- Joined a UNCRC Act meeting with Together Scotland.
March
- Interviewed with CYCPS for The Right Way Project.
- Supported Young Carers Action Day at the Scottish Parliament in my role with East Renfrewshire Carers Centre.
- Met with Nicola Dickie from COSLA.
- Completed my final mentoring meeting with the Scottish Government Director of Tackling Child Poverty.
- Hosted our SYP Membership Meet-Up.
- Took part in my first National Lottery Community Fund UK Board Meeting as a board member.
- Celebrated the Young Women’s Movement’s 100th Birthday
April
- Met with DG Communities, Louise Macdonald, to discuss our Gender-Based Violence campaign.
- Attended the First Minister’s Summit of Scotland’s Political, Civic and Faith Leaders.
- Joined the SYP Board Meeting in Glasgow.
May
- Celebrated Europe Day at Edinburgh City Chambers.
- Delivered a webinar with Aspen Recruitment on engaging young people in governance.
- Attended the National Lottery Scottish Parliament Reception.
June
- Joined the National Lottery Community Fund Youth Voice celebration in London.
- Took part in a Youth Work Roundtable at St Andrews House.
- Led the Executive Team Takeover Event.
- Travelled to Denmark for Folkemødet, a three-day festival celebrating democracy.
- Attended the Young Scot Awards and Edinburgh Pride.
- Participated in the FM Roundtable on Whole Family Support.
July
- Met with Jenny Gilruth, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills.
- Engaged with the Independent Review of the Scottish Parliament Boundaries Approval Process.
- Another SYP Membership Meet-Up.
August
- Spoke on a Festival of Politics panel about Gen Z and politics.
- Attended the SYP Board Meeting.
- Went to the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo from the Royal Box
September
- SYP Sitting which was a highlight of the year. We launched our manifesto and strategy, planned campaigns ahead of elections, and elected new conveners and deputy conveners.
- Scottish Parliament Exhibition, chatting all things SYP with MSPs, key topics included community cohesion, misinformation, and youth engagement.
- SYP AGM, held online, was a chance to reflect on the past year and elect our new board.
- Attended the John Smith Centre Reception at the Scottish Parliament
October
- Chaired a Whole Family Support Event Q&A with Permanent Secretary Joe Griffin.
- Delivered board training and joint sessions with the newly elected Conveners and Deputy Conveners
- Met with Kirsty McNeil, Under Secretary of State for Scotland
November
- Hosted our first-ever Policy Convention (#SYPolCon)
- Met with Professor Laura Lundy to discuss children’s rights work.
- Met with the Permanent Secretary meeting ahead of the Cabinet Takeover.
- Spoke at the COSLA Conference on online life and future generations.
- Co-chaired our 9th Cabinet Takeover event with the Children’s Parliament, presenting campaigns on Ending Gender-Based Violence, Mental Health, and Youth Work to the First Minister and Cabinet Secretaries.
- Sat on panel discussions with Aspen Recruitment, Charity Leadership Scotland.
- Attended an event hosted by the David Hume Institute.
December
- Rounded off the year with the National Lottery Community Fund Christmas Dinner and Board Meeting.
- Delivered a Young Scot and SYP Political Literacy event in Edinburgh.
Looking Ahead
This year has been full of different opportunities to stand up for the voices of Scotland’s young people. I’m incredibly proud of how much SYP and the youth sector achieved, but I am also really energised to build on this in 2026.
