Transforming Young Peoples Lives
The Distillers’ Charity hosted its 4th annual Impact Report in Dovecot Studios, Edinburgh on Tuesday 10th March. With some 100 people in attendance, from charity delivery partners, media, Distillers One of One Donor & Sponsor companies and from across the Scotch Whisky Industry, the attendees heard from a series of speakers and took some time to network with all of the Delivery Partners from the Youth Action Fund.
The evening was opened by Grant Gordon, OBE, Chair of The Distillers’ Charity, who spoke about the work carried out via the three grant making areas of The Distillers’ Charity, Youth Action Fund, City & Livery Giving and Vocational Training and Education, acknowledging growth across all three areas in both funding and results. Particular emphasis for the evening was around the Youth Action Fund, with young people helped by the fund in securing employability outcomes now surpassing 3,000. Louise Stevenson of Inspiring Scotland spoke to the enduring need for support for young people and the growth in the challenges being faced by them, through no fault of their own, reinforcing a message she has delivered at our Scottish Dinner previously – ‘Ability is spread evenly, opportunity is not’.
The resounding highlight of the event centred around 4 of the young people who shared some of their experiences, challenges, progress and outcomes with the audience from stage, a true testament to the incredible work done by the Youth Action Fund’s delivery partners, FARE, Enable Works, Street League, Action for Children, Aberdeen Foyer and The Talk about Trust. The audience were really inspired to hear of these young people’s tenacity, resilience and growth in confidence as they worked to overcome barriers in their lives to progress and succeed.
The Master was in attendance on the evening, followed by attending a day with the portfolio partners of the Youth Action Fund, to gain a deeper understanding of the important charitable work being carried out.
All eyes on London for next month, when we will host ‘A Conversation with The Distillers’ Charity’ with a particular focus on City & Livery Giving and Vocational Training & Education.
“The Youth Action Fund is funded solely by the Distillers One of One. Without the auction, there is no fund and there is no transformational work. The £6.6 million we have raised to date has been the product of passion, determination, and utter conviction in the power of our industry to be a force for change, prosperity, and joy.”
Beanie Espey, MD of The Distillers One of One
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