Community Gathering

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Our Community Gathering is back for 2026 and this year we’re heading to the capital!

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Building a community of young ocean advocates

We aim to create a diverse, self-directed youth community that shares knowledge, supports peer-led action, and collaborates to address marine issues.

Our annual Community Gathering is a key event in the Young Sea Changers Scotland calendar and an opportunity for us to strengthen our community and inspire the next generation to advocate for our seas. With members based across Scotland, coming together in person is both rare and deeply meaningful. The gathering is designed to be a fun, relaxed, and energising space where young people can connect, build new skills, and leave feeling inspired to take action for our seas.

We hold the gathering in different locations every year, provide support for travel costs, and design an exciting and diverse programme of workshops. We also invite an MSP guest to give attendees an opportunity to put their questions directly to a decision-maker!

What to expect from the Community Gathering 2026…coming soon!

Highlights from 2025 Gathering in Glasgow

  • Cabinet Secretary Gillian Martin participates in roundtable discussion

  • YSCS Member Issie

  • Young Sea Changers Trainee Jess Shaw delivering a wonderful talk

  • YSCS member Alex

  • Campaigner Laura Anderson gave a fantastic workshop on using social media for advocacy

  • YSCS member Jamie shared his experience of running a project through the Youth Ocean Action Fund

  • Lots of helpful resources available for attendees!

  • Rhys Saunderson from Young Friends of the Earth Scotland gave n inspiring workshop on campaigning 101.

  • Attendees were asked what marine issues they care about!

  • The Scottish Wildlife Trust ran a workshop on ocean literacy.

  • We kept it light and silly!

  • YSCS Members and Cab Sec Gillian Martin

Highlights from 2024 Gathering in Dundee

  • The YSCS staff and trustee team on the day

  • We ran an interactive marine policy workshop to get to grips with all things policy & advocacy!

  • YSCS Trustee Caitlin

  • Lovely venue at Dundee Contemporary Arts

  • Our Zine-making workshop run by artist Christina Riley

  • Campaigning workshop run by Hayley Wolcott from the Our Seas coalition

  • Lots of time to chat and have fun!

  • We held a panel with all our guest speakers at the end

  • YSCS members Alex and Callum

  • YSCS members with MSP Mark Ruskell!