Glasgow girl Heather Bryson, 10, wins national award for dementia care campaign

Heather Bryson, 10, from Robroyston, will receive the British Citizen Youth Award later this month in recognition of her “exceptional endeavour” helping others.

The scheme, now in its eighth year, will reward 25 young people across the UK, allowing them to put the letters “BCyA” after their names.

Heather is the only Scot on the list.

Heather, a Glasgow Times Community Champion Awards winner in 2021, said she was “over the moon” to receive the honour.

"I am delighted to receive an award and if I can do it, anyone can," she said.

"I can't believe it. I'm honoured to be the only child in Scotland to get one this year."

Heather with her Glasgow Community Champion Award. Pic: Colin Mearns/Newsquest

Mike Faulkner, founder of the BCyA, said Heather had “provided an intergenerational lifeline with her exercise classes for people living with disabilities, community gifting and recycling projects".

After struggling in lockdown, during which she changed schools and suffered two close family bereavements, Heather found focus in recycling pre-loved cups and saucers, turning them into bird-feeders, and broken necklaces into Little Lockdown Angels. She sold her crafts to raise money for dementia services.

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Her mum, Deborah, explained: “Heather and her dad started to produce chair exercise videos (NHS-approved) for older people.

“She completes live Zoom classes for care homes and individuals, especially people living with dementia. She brought the generations together for a massive event to celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee, similar to her Captain Tom 100 Challenge. One care home raised more than £2000 by sponsoring its residents to take part.

“Heather shows age is no barrier to helping people.”

Heather with her mum and dad, Deborah and Gary. Pic: Colin Mearns

The Glasgow Times recently revealed Heather would be one of 25 people featuring in Tipping Point host Ben Shephard’s new book Humble Heroes, all about Britain’s most inspirational people.

The youngster, who is also a qualified Rookie Lifeguard, works with Royal Lifesaving Society UK to encourage young people to learn first aid and water safety skills.

Each medal of honour bears the words “For the Good of the Country” and is presented to only a small number of exceptional young individuals annually.

The British Citizen Youth Award is widely viewed as the nation’s way of recognising extraordinary, everyday young people who are “truly representative of today’s multicultural Britain".

Heather will receive the BCyA Medal of Honour at the Palace of Westminster on October 20.

Usually only open to individuals, this year The BCyA have launched, alongside partners Specsavers, The Dame Mary Perkins British Citizen Youth Award, specifically for groups of young people who are collectively, positively impacting communities.

“Dame Mary is the valued Patron of the BCyA and committed to promoting the achievements of young people,” said Mike Faulkner.

“The youth of today are the leaders of tomorrow and we are humbled that Dame Mary, who is also founder of Specsavers, has put her name to this prestigious accolade allowing the BCyA to broaden its recognition of young people in society.”

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This unique accolade is only open to groups of young people aged 18 or under. Nominations are now being accepted for the 2023 medal presentations -  register online at britishcitizenyouthawards.co.uk.