How is Young Scot adapting its YI services in times of coronavirus?
2020
How is Young Scot adapting its YI services in times of coronavirus?
It’s easy for young people to feel scared by what they’re hearing about COVID-19 right now, and the need for specialised youth information has never been greater.
As their daily routines change, the impact on young people is huge. Many are staying at home and not attending work, college or university. Others are dealing with illness, self-isolating or caring for a family member or someone in their community. For others, they are worried about what school, college and university closures mean for their summer grades.
To help young people during this crisis, Young Scot quickly published quality-assured information on what's happening. The information included the steps to take to help avoid catching COVID-19 and how to avoid spreading it to those around them. They also published information about mental health, and how to support others in the community. The information continues to be shared on their website regularly and via Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and YouTube.
Young Scot has been working with a range of partners to provide quality-assured information, including the Scottish Government, Scottish Qualifications Authority, the National Health Service, and more. With new restrictions on working in place, the team is getting creative about ways they can provide relevant and timely information to young people, through Q&A style content across social media. Keep an eye out for more in the coming weeks!
Reaching out to Scottish digital influencers has also helped the content have a wider reach. Jamie Murray, Nina Nesbitt and Stuart Hogg are among just a few famous Scots who shared the content across their own social media channels.
Young Scot also hosted a live Q&A session on YouTube with the First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, and the Scottish Government's National Clinical Director for Scotland, Jason Leitch. Together, they answered questions on COVID-19 that had been sent in on Instagram by young people across Scotland, and beyond.
The landing page and social media have been extremely well received and the content is promoted by the First Minister and the Scottish Government as a key place for young people to go for information. Between 13th March and 24th March, the landing page received nearly 60,000 views and over 35,000 engagements took place across social media channels.
The weeks and months ahead will be incredibly challenging. Young Scot will not waiver from their commitment to providing young people with the information they need to make informed decisions and choices during these unsettling times.
For more about how Young Scot is refocusing its core services during the pandemic here. If you have any question or wish to know more, please contact: Reida@young.scot
