Far too often, young people are spoken about but not with. Across East Kilbride, Scotland, and the wider UK, young people are frequently the subject of negative media coverage and damaging social media commentary—portrayed as disengaged, dangerous, or disinterested in their communities. These sweeping generalisations not only hurt our young people but also overlook the reality: that many are compassionate, creative, and deeply passionate about the issues that shape their future.

In response, we are proud to launch the Young Voices Writing Initiative, an open call for East Kilbride’s youth to speak for themselves—and to be heard.

Each local high school has been invited to nominate two pupils to write a short article, either celebrating a positive local story, a personal one or exploring an issue they believe deserves more attention. These articles will be published on our website and shared across our social media platforms, helping to highlight the lived experiences, insight, and creativity of East Kilbride’s young people.

But this initiative goes beyond recognition—it is about empowerment. By giving young people a platform, we aim to directly challenge the harmful narrative that too often paints them in a negative light. The stories and voices of our youth deserve more than dismissive headlines or judgmental comment sections—they deserve space, respect, and genuine consideration.

As part of this wider engagement, we’ve also invited schools to become supporting members of East Kilbride Neighbourhood Watch, and offered to deliver talks and workshops on vital topics such as knife crime awareness, youth safety, and motivation. We will work with our partners to deliver these. We know many local business leaders are keen to help the community, alongside campaigners and EK residents. These sessions will be tailored to inspire confidence, encourage civic participation, and show young people that their voice can shape real change.

And while the initiative begins in schools, it is open to everyone. If any person—young or old—wishes to write an article to feature on our platforms, whether to highlight a local issue, share a personal journey, or celebrate something positive in our town, we wholeheartedly welcome it. This is a community platform, and we want to represent a full spectrum of voices. Submissions can be sent to ek@thecommunityimpact.co.uk.

For high school pupils in East Kilbride, there is no deadline set. You can submit your article at any time, and we actively encourage as many young people as possible to take part. This is your opportunity to shape the conversation about your generation—your challenges, your ideas, and your hopes for the future.

We’d like to thank the community member who originally suggested this initiative! If you have an idea or need our support do not hesitate to reach out as we build our organisation and platform.