Young lives in the Glenkens to go on show

A NEW project to showcase the talent of young people living and working in the Glenkens launches today.

The ‘Our Glenkens’ features ten young people, each sharing their personal connection to the area and what life in the Glenkens means to them. Their stories mark the first step in an ongoing initiative to celebrate rural work, life and community in this active and beautiful part of the world.

Inspired by the the successful Uist Beò project in Uist, in the Western Isles, the aim is to shift the narrative away from decline and towards opportunity – showing that young people can and do thrive in rural places.

‘Our Glenkens’ is part of Glenkens Community Arts Trust (GCAT) broader work delivering the Glenkens Community Action Plan. It responds directly to the pressing issue of rural depopulation by showcasing the contribution young adults are making locally.

Helen Keron, GCAT chief executive, said: “It’s been so great to be able to bring this fantastic project to life. Thanks very much to SOSE for the support that’s made it possible.

“We’ve worked with a great team of people from Uist Beò and across the Glenkens to showcase some amazing young people who are making their lives here. I’ve so enjoyed seeing their stories unfold, and we hope that other people do too – and maybe even feel inspired to make Our Glenkens Their Glenkens!”

This first phase of the project has been supported by the South of Scotland Enterprise, aligning with their ambition to drive inclusive growth throughout the region. This funding enabled the creation of engaging new content and a dedicated web page featuring young working people from the Glenkens - resources that will also feed into wider regional research on effective strategies to combat depopulation.

Chair of SOSE Russel Griggs added: “It is vital we allow young people who want to stay and work in the South of Scotland to do so, rather than moving elsewhere. That is why this project by the Glenkens Community and Arts Trust is so important, letting us hear first-hand what young people think the opportunities are of living in a rural area such as Glenkens.”

The official launch of the ‘Our Glenkens’ project will take place on Friday at 7 pm at the CatStrand centre in New Galloway.