A youth disco event was staged in Mayfield last week (28 March) with the aim of building better relationships across the local community with youth groups and police – supported by local convenience store, Scotmid.
Organised by Mayfield & Easthouses Youth 2000 Project, more commonly known as Y2K and supported by Police Scotland’s Midlothian East Community Ward Office, the youth disco generated funds of £434, which will go towards an upcoming summer programme for young people in the area.
Y2K’s Project Manager Carol Flack thanked Scotmid for helping to make the event, which was staged at Mayfield and Easthouses Parish Church, a reality and believes it is a positive step in the right direction.
Carol said: “The youth disco was a great night, marking a renewed energy and enthusiasm for grass-roots partnership work to address anti-social and offending behaviour in our local community.
“Scotmid have been amazing, the security team have a great relationship with us at Y2K and the idea for this event has evolved from our meetings with them and our local community police over the past 6 months.
“As a result, Scotmid has supported Y2K with a small community grant towards funding a new entry door for the project and their generous support for the Youth Disco included providing the disco, refreshments and raffle prizes.
“Store staff were present to assist at the event and, when the young people moved across at the end of the disco to finish off the night at Y2K, everyone was in great form.
“The raffle was supported by the whole local community and the young people filmed the prize draw back at the project. Funds raised over the evening amount to £434 all of which will be used towards the Y2K summer programme.
“Feelings of boredom, peer pressure and a lack of things to do are all cited by our young people as reasons why they get involved in anti-social and risky behaviour.
“Being able to offer opportunities to try new things and just have a bit of fun in their local community, using energy in more positive ways can make all the difference.
“Pulling together with the involvement of the young people we can really make a lasting difference.”
Kirsty Connell, Scotmid Co-operative’s East Membership Officer said: “Scotmid were delighted to support the event and it was great to see so many local young people having a good time in a safe and fun environment.
“As a responsible convenience retailer, we pride ourselves on being at the heart of the Mayfield community and events like this will hopefully continue to make a difference and build a better understanding.”
Police Scotland’s Midlothian East Community Ward Office said: “Midlothian East Community Officers Constable Lambert and Constable Newton-Jones attended the Y2K youth disco held at Mayfield and Easthouses Church hall on Wednesday 28th March and felt the Scotmid backed event was a great success. It is a positive example of a local community group and business coming together to offer activities for local young people and officers look forward to working with Scotmid and Y2K in the future on similar events.”
Image (left to right): PC Trevor Newton-Jones, Ashleigh Brown (Scotmid security), Joe Hill (Scotmid store staff member), Nichola Bailey (Y2K), Jade Durie, Derek O’Donnell (Scotmid security), Owen Findlay, Lyndsey Ritchie (Y2K), Megan Lothian (Scotmid store staff member), PC Scott Lambert.