Seven pupils from Lossiemouth High School have been recognised by the Deutsche Bank Spotlight Awards for their successful efforts in campaigning for a teen shelter in Hopeman.  

The Deutsche Bank Spotlight Awards are aimed at 11 to 18-year-olds from across the UK who are campaigning in their community to bring about positive change.  The team from Lossiemouth High School have won a prize of £1,000 to go towards the cost of their next project.

Teen shelters come in various shapes and sizes - some like big bus shelters - have been very successful in cutting down on vandalism and noise nuisance.  Sited away from residence in locations chosen by young people, they are treated with respect by their 'owners' and provide a simple meeting space with some weather protection.

The teen shelter in Hopeman was opened earlier this year by Angus Robertson, MP for Moray and another site is being researched for a shelter in Burghead.

Three members of the group from Lossiemouth High School, Leigh Shanks, Katie Lyons and Matthew Grant recently spent the day with staff from HIE Moray, visiting sites in Moray which enhance communities in the area.  The sites included the Green Home in Buckie, the Loft in Keith and the Cottage Community Resource Centre in Rothes. 

Careers Scotland and HIE Moray have supported this initiative by teaching them about planning skills, researching projects, communication skills and making network contacts - all very important to career planning skills for the future.

Susan Chalmers, locality manager, Careers Scotland in Moray said:  "I am sure that this award will be well received by the coastal communities and encourage other young people to take up projects which utilise life skills for the future and also benefit the community."