A YOUNG Dollar girl is set to deliver change in her area, after being one of the first to join the UK's largest girl-led advocacy network.

Girlguide Catherine Young, 15, is now ready to speak out and chip in on the issues she cares about, after getting involved with Action for Change, a ground-breaking project giving young ladies skills and confidence.

Last month, she joined fellow Girlguiding members, all aged between 13 and 18, for a special weekend event in Edinburgh, where she got to grips with campaign techniques through hands-on workshops and inspiring talks.

The workshops were run by change.org and Parliamentary Outreach with talks from the likes of Stevie Wise - famous for starting the Sexist Surcharge petition to stop companies charging more for women's products.

Other key speakers included Talat Yaqoob - co-founder of the Women 50:50 group, campaigning to increase female representation at all levels of government.

Catherine, who is a young leader and a member of the Senior Section, will be part of the Action for Change network in Scotland next year, tackling issues in the Wee County and feeding into Girlguiding Scotland campaigns.

She said: “I’m so excited to be part of the Action for Change network because I want to learn the skills needed to make a difference to my local community.

“I want to campaign to encourage more girls to get involved with science and technology and to make sure all girls have the chance to study engineering at school.

“I really enjoy science and technology but I’ve heard discouraging comments from peers and even from adults, about why these subjects aren’t for girls.

“I want to change that message and Action for Change has given me the tools and confidence to use my voice and make a difference.”

The organisation is planning to launch nine different networks across the UK over the next three years to give hundreds of young women the skills, confidence and ongoing support they need to speak up, build a fairer society and play their part in changing their communities for the better.

Sue Walker, Girlguiding Scotland’s chief commissioner, said: “I was thrilled to meet so many girls and young women from all over Scotland who are excited to make change in their local communities and beyond.

“As the leading charity for girls and young women in Scotland, we’re committed to empowering girls and young women to use their voice and be a powerful force for good.

“Girlguiding Scotland’s young members already make a real difference on all sorts of issues – from collecting practical aid for refugees to calling for action to end sexual harassment in schools.

“Action for Change is helping more girls and young women to take social action to the next level, helping them gain the skills and confidence to speak up and make the change they want to see.

“I can’t wait to see what the girls achieve.”