Easter Programme 2026:
The clocks have gone forward, and the nights are therefore lighter and with spring hopefully around the corner, I am very pleased to announce our Easter Twilight Sports and holiday activity Programme. The focus will be the three local public parks, and the programme is detailed below: its open to all 10–16-year old’s and is completely free. I would like to acknowledge our funders Fairer Falkirk’s School holiday food and activity fund along with our local funders Camelon Community Sports Hub and the Falkirk Flight community grant provided by Mackenzie Construction. The programme will include: fun football, rollerblading with the wonderful Falkirk Wheelers , nature-based activities, tree planting and some creativity and with everyone receiving a snack and drink. We will be joined by Forth Environment Link (FEL) and their Dr Bike service, so please bring your bike down to your local park for a health check and any repairs, provided they are not major, will be carried out by FELs skilled bike mechanics.
Climate Action Event:
SCYAP hosted and coordinated a very successful young people’s climate action event on Friday 6th March in Tamfourhill Community Hub. This was supported by FEL, TCV Scotland, CVS Falkirk and the Scottish Wildlife Trust. A series of hands-on workshops and activities were enjoyed by the young people who responded positively to this experiential approach to learning about climate change and how we can take local actions to mitigate the challenges and damage caused by global warming and the resultant climate crises. The workshops included: the smoothie and energy creating bikes, building birds nesting boxes, an interactive stall about red squirrels, designing plant pots and planting sunflower seeds , sustainable food activities and a workshop looking at personal experiences of climate change at a local community level.
Creating Totem Poles for the Active Travel Route along the Canal.
Throughout March our attention has been focused upon the top canal through Tamfourhill. This has engaged groups of young people with planting fruit trees to create two new community orchards and has also kick started the beginning of our new community arts and active travel project. Through funding provided by @WalkWheelCycle and in partnership with Scottish Canals the Tamfourhill Totem Pole Trail will constitute a 1 km active travel trail connected by ten distinct totem poles placed along the active travel route through Tamfourhill. These totem poles will be a structural and illustrative celebration of the local wildlife that is found along the route and will also provide pointers and visual suggestions to encourage people to engage in different activities as they follow along the active travel route by either foot or by wheels. Interestingly this route also forms a section of the John Muir Way and therefore the themes of conservation and enjoying nature are particularly relevant to this community arts project. To date our Creative Climate Action Group have been taking part in workshops that involved them with designing patterns and images based upon local wildlife and plants that you find around and within the canal and also looking at informal games using nature that younger children play when outdoors. The two groups from the local primary schools have been creating Land Art installations, some of which are on the canal towpath, and these creations utilising natural materials will form an integral part of the final totem pole designs. This project will continue to be developed over the Easter holidays and beyond with installation hopefully happening in early May. The plan is to then have a celebratory opening of these new art installations along with an active travel event in the spring. Key facets of this young person led arts project are the promotion of active travels role as a positive climate action, its significant contribution to good mental wellbeing and physical health whilst also taking a creative approach to local young people’s commitment to Stand up for Nature.
Youth Awards for Youth Participation
And finally, it is a real pleasure to announce the presentations of several youth awards for young people who had regularly taken part in the Youth Participation project from August through to December 2025. Shona Craig who is the Secretary of the Tamfourhill Tenants and Resident’s Organisation performed the master of ceremonies on Thursday 19th March when the certificates were awarded at the Tamfourhill Community Hub. These young people have shown a serious and sustained commitment to local youth action through the youth participation project and its absolutely appropriate that they receive the plaudits and recognition from the community for all their efforts and positive impacts. Ten Dynamic Youth Awards, including a 3- star award and several 2- star awards were made , along with three High Five awards and four Saltire National Volunteering Awards. Well done to every one of you, an amazing achievement #Youthaction.
Safer Communities Youth Action Project 