A YOUTH charity based in the Wee County is looking to ensure young people have a voice during the pandemic.

ALYVE UK, chaired by Huw Sherrard, is hoping to support youth forums across Scotland to make sure the concerns of young people are heard and acted on by decision makers.

It recently launched its ALYVE & Kicking small grants initiative, which will help up to eight youth councils, cabinets and forums with up to £250.

The move comes after the LockdownLowdown survey – conducted by the Scottish Youth Parliament, YouthLink Scotland and Young Scot – highlighted the specific impact coronavirus is having on young people.

A high proportion of respondents have raised their concerns around education, employment, mental health and the future in general.

Huw previously represented the Wee County at Scottish Youth Parliament and on Clackmannanshire Youth Council.

Over the past year, he has been busy kick-starting ALYVE in a bid to understand and advocate for the views of young people across Scotland and in other parts of the UK.

Huw said: "We know that Covid-19 has impacted young people across Scotland, affecting their education, employment, and mental wellbeing.

"It's more important than ever that they are listened to during this pandemic, especially at a local level where decisions affect them most.

"As a charity we advocate for and support local youth forums and through this fund we hope we can support them in representing young people in these unprecedented times."

The funding is possible thanks to an award from the Royal Society of Arts and is also part of ALYVE's ongoing activities co-funded by the European Union.

Founded in early 2019, ALYVE has a proud European dimension with ties to the Congress of the Council of Europe and the European Solidarity Corps.

The charity is also youth-led with all the trustees younger than 26.

Visit bit.ly/3ggqGsR for more details on the ALYVE & Kicking fund, including guidance and the application form.

Results from funded projects will be collated later this year to offer a snapshot of young people's experiences and views.