Name: Blythe Lennen
Hometown: Edinburgh
School / College / University: Craigmount High School
Q&A with Blythe
What has been your highlight during your time as a YA?
My highlight of being a Young Ambassador was having the opportunity to attend the conference, followed by training courses that were run by my regional Active Schools coordinators. Through the programme I got to meet and collaborate with so many inspiring students from my city who also shared a love for leadership, teamwork and sport. This really motivated me to do what I could to make a difference in my area therefore making sport as accessible as possible. I also got the chance to gain many valuable skills which later then enabled me to coach younger pupils at my school and help host events for the children within cluster primary schools. I would say this was definitely the most rewarding aspect as it really improved my personal attributes, and I was able to give back to the people that supported me as well as making a positive impact on my local community.
Why did you apply to be part of the YA Delivery Team?
I applied to the delivery team as it will enable to me to influence pupils that are in the same position as I was in this time last year, I would also really make a positive change by helping people to find themselves through sport and make sport accessible to everyone. I was really inspired to make changes to improve the sports and events at my school because of all the amazing information and advice that was delivered to me last year while taking part in the programme. I want to pass this on to inspire others that have the same passion and commitment as me. I have always loved sports and I want that to be the same for everyone in school, from supporting cluster primary schools to your own high school, being a member of the delivery will enable me to advocate for this further. I’m really looking forwards to being on the 2024-2025 team as I’m really excited to put my knowledge and leadership skills into play while being able to step out my comfort zone and improve my confidence as well as advancing many of my skills throughout the process. I’m also really excited to work with a group of like-minded individuals who also have the same goals and enthusiasm as me to become role models for those aspiring pupils all over Scotland.
What advice would you give to a young person considering Young Ambassadors?
The advice I would give for the new Young Ambassadors is to just go for everything and always give it your all. Every opportunity that comes at you will really improve you in some way whether it advances your skill set or genuinely brings out the best version of yourself so I would say just give it absolutely everything you’ve got and you will make a huge difference to yourself and so many people. I would also say to step out your comfort zone, although it may be hard, you will realise the things that you avoid are not as bad as they seem, you will really feel your confidence grow and the self satisfaction is so rewarding.
What is your favourite sport?
My favourite sport is curling as I really enjoy the team aspect of it, the intellect tactics and the lovely people you meet through the social side.
What is your proudest achievement (outside of Young Ambassadors)?
In 2022, during the Beijing Winter Olympics I was selected from my curling team to appear on National TV such as BBC Breakfast, STV news, Newsround and more. This was a really enjoyable and influential experience.
What are your future aspirations?
I am really determined to study law at university and then become a fully trained solicitor as I'm really passionate about the legal world and making a difference.