The GoldFish project has shown what can happen when young people are trusted to lead important conversations in their communities. At a time when awareness of stalking, healthy relationships and violence against women and girls is more important than ever, this work has demonstrated the power of early intervention, education and partnership.
Last week’s premiere of the GoldFish film was a moment of immense pride for everyone involved. As the lights went down and the finished production was shared with the audience, it was impossible not to feel inspired by what had been achieved through this remarkable collaboration.
Delivered by Action Against Stalking’s Young Persons Service as part of our Early Intervention in Education (EiE) programme, GoldFish has placed young people at the heart of tackling some of the most important issues facing society today. Through informal classroom discussions, honest conversations about healthy relationships, and education around stalking behaviours, pupils have been given the opportunity to explore complex topics in a safe and supportive environment.
What made this project particularly special was the way young people took ownership of the creative process. Working alongside The Iris Film Company, pupils from Girvan Academy played a leading role in developing and producing the film. Their creativity, insight and commitment brought these important messages to life in a way that is both authentic and powerful.
The success of GoldFish reflects the strength of partnership working. We are incredibly grateful for the support of Police Scotland, Girvan Youth Support, The Iris Film Company, and Carrick Futures through Foundation Scotland, whose funding and commitment helped make this project possible. By bringing together expertise from across sectors, we have been able to create meaningful opportunities for young people to learn, reflect and lead.
Personally, I was bursting with pride at the premiere last Thursday. Seeing the confidence, talent and passion of the young people involved was a powerful reminder of why early intervention matters. When we create space for young people to have these conversations and equip them with the knowledge to recognise unhealthy behaviours, we are investing in safer communities for the future.
The importance of this work was underlined recently when First Minister John Swinney spoke on BBC Radio Scotland about what he described as the epidemic of violence against women and girls. I had the privilege of joining the programme and meeting the First Minister to discuss the challenges we face and the role that prevention and education must play in addressing them.
One thing that is really important to me is recognising that stalking can affect anyone. While the statistics tell us that stalking is predominantly a violence against women and girls issue, with around 80% of victims being women, we also know that many men experience stalking too. Too often, those experiences go unreported, with individuals suffering in silence and unsure where to turn for support. Every person affected by stalking deserves to be listened to, believed and supported. As we continue these conversations with young people, it is vital that we create environments where everyone feels safe to speak up and seek help, while still acknowledging the disproportionate impact stalking has on women and girls.
Securing support from the Scottish Government will be crucial in enabling programmes like GoldFish and our Early Intervention in Education work to reach more young people across Scotland. The need is clear, and the impact we are seeing demonstrates the value of engaging young people early, helping them understand healthy relationships, recognise concerning behaviours, and know where to seek support.
The GoldFish project is more than a film. It is a testament to what can be achieved when young people, communities and partners come together with a shared purpose. It has started important conversations, challenged perceptions and empowered young people to be part of the solution.
As we look ahead, I am hopeful that the momentum created through this project, alongside growing recognition from partners and government, will help us expand this work across Scotland. If the success of GoldFish has shown us anything, it is that young people are not simply the future of change, they are leading it right now. Their voices, creativity and courage give me great confidence that together we can build a future where healthy relationships are the norm, stalking is recognised and challenged, and everyone affected receives the support they deserve.
Thank you to everyone who helped make GoldFish a reality and, most importantly, to the young people whose courage, creativity and leadership made this project so powerful.
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