After hours of careful deliberation by the judging panel, and over 10,000 votes, we are excited to announce our finalists for this year’s prestigious YMCA Youth Matters Awards.
Young Achiever of the Year, sponsored by Charity Bank
- Charlie Squires, One YMCA
- Drew Cooper, YMCA Derbyshire
- Joel Lees, City YMCA
Young Leader of the Year, sponsored by John Facer
- Charlotte Gabb, YMCA Barry
- Enya Hollis, YMCA Cardiff
- Natalie Cheung, Y Care International
Young Volunteer of the Year
- Alice Whiteside, YMCA Burton
- Ben Spearman-Oxx, YMCA East Surrey
- Kieron Young, YMCA Newcastle
Young Worker of the Year
- Alan Maphosa, YMCA St Paul’s Group
- Lauren Bruce, YMCA Thames Gateway
- Megan Cooke, YMCA Barry
YMCA of the Year, sponsored by Premier Companies
- YMCA Burton
- YMCA East Surrey
- YMCA Norfolk
Diversity Award
- Good Vibes, YMCA Swansea
- LGBT Youth Service, YMCA Lincolnshire
- YMCA Youth, YMCA Trinity Group
Best Projects of the Year – Training & Education, sponsored by BWB
- Aspire, YMCA Cardiff
- Menu of Services, YMCA Trinity Group
- Y Engage, YMCA Swansea
Best Projects of the Year – Health & Wellbeing
- YMCA Dialogue Wellbeing Service, YMCA DownsLink Group
- Healthy Relationships / Sexual Health Outreach Team, YMCA Cardiff
- Y Sports, YMCA St Helens
Best Projects of the Year – Family Work
- Families Team, YMCA Norfolk
- RevolYOUtion, YMCA Thames Gateway
- Young Carers ‘Time 4 Me’ Project, YMCA Cardiff
Best Projects of the Year – Accommodation
- Beach Hotel, YMCA Somerset Coast
- Brighton and Hove supported housing, YMCA DownsLink Group
- Supported flats, YMCA Cornwall
We want to say a big thank you to everyone who took the time to make a nomination and to those who cast a vote. Each and every nominee had an inspiring and heartfelt story to tell, which makes us burst with pride at what is being achieved by young people, staff and volunteers up and down the country. To read all about the finalists, visit our Youth Matters page.
If you entered a nomination for the Red Triangle Award, you will be notified at the end of September. The We Believe Award will be announced on the night.
Experience a night of inspiration and recognition
The glittering Youth Matters Awards ceremony, which promises a showcase of exciting performances from YMCAs across the country, refreshments and a three-course dinner, will take place on Friday 2 November, returning to the exclusive 8 Northumberland in central London.
Limited early bird tickets to the biggest event in YMCA’s calendar are now on sale. Find out more at www.ymca.org.uk/tickets. Please note that complimentary tickets are available for finalists.
Get your partners involved
If you would like to showcase our amazing work, tables are available for local YMCA partners and supporters to host. As a host, they will dine alongside YMCA young people and staff. Each host will have their logo displayed on their table and in the awards brochure. Host tables seat 10 and cost £600. If you have a partner who is interested, please email youthmatters@ymca.org.uk. Promotional flyer available to download here.