This International Youth Day, we’re celebrating the young volunteers who give their time, energy and ideas to make a difference across Clackmannanshire.

For Lucy, that journey started before she had even reached secondary school.

From becoming a Young Leader in Primary 7 to helping tackle barriers to girls’ participation in sport, Lucy has already dedicated hundreds of hours to volunteering and supporting opportunities for children and young people across Clackmannanshire.

Starting her volunteering journey in Primary 7

Lucy first started volunteering in Primary 7 when she joined Clackmannanshire Council Sport & Leisure Team’s Leadership Academy as a Young Leader.

When she moved to secondary school, she continued her volunteering journey with the Sport & Leisure Team and enrolled in the next stage of the Leadership Academy.

Today, Lucy regularly gives her time to support sports camps, events, clubs and activities at Firpark Ski Centre.

Her Volunteer Manager credits Lucy’s dedication with directly contributing to children and young people across Clackmannanshire being able to consistently access high-quality sporting opportunities.

Growing from volunteer to young leader

As Lucy gained more experience, she also began taking on new responsibilities.

In 2025, she hosted the Sport & Leisure Team’s Celebration of Sport, marking 20 years of Active Schools and 40 years of Firpark Ski Centre.

Lucy introduced each award during the event, using her confidence and leadership skills to help celebrate local achievements and inspire younger pupils.

Her journey shows how volunteering can give young people opportunities not only to contribute to their communities, but also to develop their own skills and confidence along the way.

Helping more girls get involved in sport

More recently, Lucy has been involved with the Fit for Girls programme with sportscotland, which aims to promote participation in sport among girls.

Her involvement goes beyond helping to organise and deliver sessions. Lucy has also contributed to the thinking behind the programme, helping to identify and address some of the barriers that can prevent girls from taking part in sport.

The work is already making an impact. Female participation in extra-curricular sport has increased by 2% since 2024/25, with Lucy’s hard work contributing to that progress.

By bringing a young person’s perspective to the programme, Lucy is helping to make sporting opportunities more accessible and appealing to other young people.

Volunteering beyond sport

Although sport is a big part of Lucy’s volunteering journey, it isn’t the only way she gives back to her community.

Lucy is also a Police Scotland Young Volunteer. Through regular weekly meetings, she has supported a number of local events, including the Alloa Half Marathon, as well as award ceremonies at Tulliallan Police College.

These different experiences have given Lucy the opportunity to support her community in a variety of ways while continuing to build her own skills and experience.

320 hours – and counting

Lucy has been carefully recording her volunteering through the Saltire Awards programme since she was 12.

So far, she has achieved an incredible 320 hours of volunteering.

Behind that number are hundreds of individual moments spent helping at events, supporting sports activities, encouraging younger children and working to make opportunities more inclusive.

It’s a fantastic example of the contribution young volunteers are making across Clackmannanshire.

Celebrating young volunteers this International Youth Day

International Youth Day is an opportunity to recognise what young people are already contributing to their communities.

Lucy’s story shows exactly why that matters.

Young people aren’t simply the leaders of the future. They have ideas, experiences and skills that can make a difference to their communities right now.

Whether she’s supporting a sports camp, helping more girls feel able to participate in sport or volunteering at a community event, Lucy is already making that difference.

This International Youth Day, we’re celebrating Lucy and all the young volunteers across Clackmannanshire who give their time to help their communities thrive.

Could you become a young volunteer?

If you’re aged 11–25, volunteering can be a great way to get involved in something you care about, develop new skills and meet new people.

Through the Saltire Awards, young people can also gain recognition for the hours they give to volunteering.

You don’t need hundreds of hours under your belt to make a difference. Every volunteering journey has to start somewhere – just like Lucy’s did in Primary 7.

Where could yours take you?