A teenage Girl Guide from Dundee is taking up the fight against mental health stigma after joining Action for Change, the UK’s largest girl-led advocacy network.
Evie Strange, 16, who is a member of the Senior Section, joined with Girlguiding Scotland members at a special network weekend in Edinburgh on November 4.
At the event, Evie got to grips with campaigning techniques with hands-on workshops run by Change.org and Parliamentary Outreach, as well as inspiring talks from young female campaigners
For the next year she will be part of the Action for Change network in Scotland, tackling issues in her local area and feeding into Girlguiding Scotland campaigns.
Evie said: “I’m so excited to be part of the Action for Change network because I want to learn the skills needed to make a difference to my local community.
“For my Action for Change project I want to help end the stigma around mental illness, especially in schools, so that more people feel they can talk about this issue and ask for help.”
“It was great to meet so many girls from all over Scotland who are passionate about making change and I’m excited to use my voice and speak out on an issue that matters to me.”
With support from the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, Girlguiding will be launching nine Action for Change networks across the UK over the next three years.
The innovative project will give hundreds of young women in guiding the skills, confidence and ongoing support that they need to speak up about the issues that matter to them, build a fairer society and play their part in changing their communities for the better.
Sue Walker, Girlguiding Scotland’s Chief Commissioner, said: “I was thrilled to meet so many girls and young women from all over Scotland who are excited to make change in their local communities and beyond.
“As the leading charity for girls and young women in Scotland, we’re committed to empowering girls and young women to use their voice and be a powerful force for good.
“Girlguiding Scotland’s young members already make a real difference on all sorts of issues – from collecting practical aid for refugees to calling for action to end sexual harassment in schools.
