Children in Leith can get help as they make the sometimes difficult transition between primary and secondary school. Image P2HS project 2018 Primary to High School (P2HS), a project that has been running since 2014 at Pilmeny Youth Centre, helps children transition from primary to secondary school. The project is now proudly supported by the University of Edinburgh, and in May the programme opened its doors to participants. The project is run by youth workers at Pilmeny Youth Centre in Leith. Pupils are recruited from P6 and P7 in local primary schools, S1 pupils in local high schools and those already attending the Centre. All the young people who benefit from the project come from the wider Leith area, and have a range of academic abilities. Over a series of weekly sessions at the Centre, they can talk with youth workers about their concerns and challenges within a relaxed, social and recreational atmosphere. The value in engaging with our young people on transition issues is ultra-important. The creative and relaxed atmosphere, nurtured by staff, gives our young people the self-confidence to ‘open’ dialogue with staff on transition issues personal to them. Every issue is addressed and solutions found. As one lad said recently to his friends group, ‘I love this place’. We can’t get a better testament than that. Bryan Maughan, Pilmeny Youth Centre What makes the project so popular and successful is that young people have helped to design the transitional programme and sport plays a big part. Pilmeny Youth Centre is situated in the Lorne area of Leith, between Leith Walk and Easter Road, with a full-time manager and three part-time staff. About 14 community groups use the centre weekly, and it provides social, educational and recreational activities for local children and young people aged from toddler to 19 years. Find out more Pilmeny Youth Centre: https://www.pilmeny.co.uk Edinburgh Local Community Grants Scheme: https://www.ed.ac.uk/local/community-grants This article was published on 2024-07-22
