Touch of Love Outreach (TOL) is thrilled to announce its shortlisting as a Finalist for the Community-Based Youth Work Award at the 2025 National Youth Work Awards, hosted by YouthLink Scotland.

This prestigious honour recognizes TOL’s outstanding commitment to delivering youth-led activities that amplify young voices, spark creativity, build teamwork, and foster social development and community cohesion - particularly among Aberdeen’s minority ethnic young people and New Scots.

Rooted in community action, TOL first launched during the pandemic as a local food bank, providing critical support to struggling families. Through this work, it became clear that young people needed more than just food - they needed spaces to belong, grow, and express themselves. This realization inspired the creation of the Touch of Love Young Achievers Club.

By the end of 2024, TOL had supported over 450 minority ethnic young people and New Scots (ages 5 - 21) through free, vibrant weekly creative and well-being activities, including cultural dance, leadership workshops, football sessions, language clubs, talent showcases, and one-to-one mentoring. These programmes intentionally break cycles of poverty and trauma, offering pathways to self-expression, cultural integration, and social flourishing.

TOL’s youth development work has been instrumental in boosting confidence, strengthening social bonds, and laying the groundwork for deeper community integration, richer social networks, and stronger civic participation across Aberdeen.

"Being shortlisted is a powerful affirmation that these programmes are on the right track," says Rev. Fr. Franklin Umekachilu, Trustee of Touch of Love. "It inspires the entire team to reach even more young people and continue fostering their sense of belonging, leadership, and resilience."

This latest shortlisting builds on a growing legacy of national recognition for TOL. In 2024, the Touch of Love Young Achievers Club was named a finalist for the Equality & Diversity Category at the National Youth Work Awards, recognizing its commitment to inclusive youth empowerment. TOL is also honored to be a current nominee for the King’s Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS) - the highest UK honor for volunteer-led organizations.

This national recognition reaffirms TOL’s mission: to create safe, inclusive spaces where every young Scot and New Scot can explore their identity, build resilience, and forge meaningful, lasting connections.

For further information about Touch of Love Outreach, please visit www.touchoflove.org.uk or email support@touchoflove.org.uk.