For over a year, Youth Spark, our Young Start (National Lottery Funded) youth-led participation project at the Citadel Youth Centre, has empowered our young people to lead meaningful change in their community.  Through our exciting collaboration with GroundsWell and IMPETUS Citizen Science Accelerator our Dear Green Place project has built on this, focusing on improving Leith’s parks and green spaces and exploring their impact on mental health and wellbeing.  Our recent Youth Spark Community Outreach Day was a vibrant showcase of this work, bringing together 14–18-year-olds from local youth agencies and the community for a day of creative activities, discussions, and exploration.

Connecting Through the String Game

The day began with the String Game, a powerful icebreaker led by the Youth Spark core group.  Participants shared personal reflections on their experiences with green and blue spaces – whether it was a favourite memory, a calming spot, or a way these spaces support their mental health.

As each person spoke, they passed a string to another participant, creating a web that visually represented the group’s collective knowledge and connections.  This colourful, tangible web underscored the importance of these spaces for wellbeing and sparked meaningful conversations.

“The String Game made me realise how these spaces matter to everyone in different ways.” - (Young Person)

Exploring Leith’s Green and Blue Spaces

Using Google Earth, the Youth Spark: Dear Green Place core group guided attendees on a virtual tour of six local parks highlighted for regeneration as part of the Linking Leith’s Parks initiative, including Tolbooth Wynd, Mill Lane Park, Taylor Gardens, Keddie Gardens, North Junction Street Park and Dalmeny Park.  These spaces, they explained, have the potential to support relaxation, connection, and physical activity, all vital for mental health, but also highlighted areas where improvements are needed.  The young people shared their insights and encouraged other attendees to contribute their own views on how these spaces could be enhanced.

Creative Contributions with Alice Haskell

A highlight of the day was the session with graphic facilitator Alice Haskell, where participants collaborated to visually reimagine local parks.  From mazes in Dalmeny Park to wind powered outdoor heating in North Junction Street Park, the creative drawings captured innovative ideas for improving these spaces.

These visual contributions will inform the interactive digital map being developed by the Youth Spark core group.  This map will highlight the potential of Leith’s green and blue spaces to support mental health and encourage community connection, showcasing the power of youth-led initiatives.

“Drawing our ideas made them feel real.  It was amazing to see everyone’s creativity come together” - (Young Person)

Youth Leadership in Action

Throughout the day, the Youth Spark core group took the lead, facilitating discussions, guiding activities, and sharing their vision for greener, healthier spaces.  Their enthusiasm and leadership created a welcoming, engaging environment where all voices were heard. 

“The young people did an incredible job.  Their passion for the project is clear to see.” - (Community Member Attendee)

Looking Ahead to January 2025

The Youth Spark Community Outreach Day demonstrated the transformative impact of youth-led initiatives on communities.  As the ideas from this event are incorporated into the interactive map, launching in January 2025, we’re excited to see how the core group’s work will continue to inspire positive change in Leith.

Stay tuned for the launch of the map and explore how green and blue spaces can support a healthier, more connected community.

Ryan McKay, Youth Worker at the Citadel