Police Scotland Youth Volunteers - What Do They Do?

Dear Resident

The team at Neighbourhood Watch Scotland have been busy meeting with Police Scotland Youth Volunteers (PSYV), so that we can learn more about them and about some of the amazing work they're doing, helping communities across Scotland. The volunteers are aged 13 - 17 and give up their own time to help with events, projects and much, much more.

Keith visited the Edinburgh North group recently to chat with the volunteers, including Olivia. This is her story:

My name is Olivia and I am a member of Police Scotland Youth Volunteers (PSYV), Edinburgh North. Throughout my early development, I faced setbacks due to anxiety and low self-esteem, preventing me from developing good social connections at school and within the wider community.

Despite some initial hesitation due to a lack of confidence, I finally gained the courage to join PSYV, not knowing what to expect.  I had several motivations for joining PSYV, my passion and fascination for the Police, to understand my abilities as a young person, and to take a step forward in reducing my social anxiety by building lasting friendships.

In PSYV, we regularly have the pleasure to volunteer in various events like The Royal Highland Show, The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, Race for Life events, local summer & winter fairs and crime prevention activities such as home security leafleting working alongside Neighbourhood Watch Scotland.

I have also taken part in Cyber safety training, at the Scottish Police College and have been to HMS Caledonia where I got an award for initiative from the Provost of Fife and Assistant Chief Constable Emma Bond.

Through PSYV, we learn how impactful it is to work alongside other PSYV’s, volunteers at events, police officers and our community.  It helps the society and our bonds strengthen together to achieve a more positive and sustainable environment.

PSYV has helped to increase my confidence socially and at school, helping me secure five University choices!!  My first few years at secondary school had been difficult so this achievement is even more special to me.  Since joining PSYV, my confidence has grown and I relish opportunities to get involved in class discussions and activities, and most importantly I rarely struggle to communicate and work with people who I have not met before.

As well as this, recently I have been promoted to Head Youth Volunteer for Edinburgh North PSYV which was an incredible confidence boost and recognition of my hard work, dedication & commitment. The promotion has shown me that I have grown as a person and that I am more capable than I thought. I'm enjoying the path I am now on, serving the community through volunteering and I look forward with confidence to my future with PSYV!

There are so many young people in Scotland doing wonderful things and we'd like to say a heartfelt thank you to the inspiring volunteers in PSYV for their outstanding work and thank you Olivia. What a beautifully written piece and congratulations on your already incredible achievements.

More information about how to join PSYV can be found by clicking on the link below:

https://www.scotland.police.uk/about-us/what-we-do/police-scotland-youth-volunteers/