After hours of careful deliberation by the Judging Panel, and more than 7,000 votes, we are thrilled to announce our finalists for this year’s prestigious YMCA Youth Matters Awards.
Young Achiever of the Year
Amber Howard – Jones YMCA Exeter
Jordan Everard – YMCA North Staffordshire
Jessica Whelan – YMCA Cardiff
Young Leader of the Year
Chloe Hobbs – YMCA Cardiff
Sarah Daniels – YMCA Essex
Charlie Smith – YMCA Norfolk
Young Volunteer of the Year
Emma Taylor – YMCA Plymouth
Grace O’Donovan – YMCA North Staffordshire
Connor Rogerson – YMCA Humber
Young Worker of the Year
Bianca Bancroft – YMCA Derbyshire
Safiyya Patel – YMCA St.Paul’s Group
Ella Sowton – YMCA East Surrey
Young Campaigner of the Year
Enya Hollis – YMCA Cardiff
Adele Tondu – YMCA Thames Gateway
Iris-May Farker Smith – YMCA Dulverton Group
YMCA of the Year
YMCA Wellington and District
YMCA Norfolk
YMCA North Staffordshire
Diversity Award
Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children work – YMCA Guildford Foyer, YMCA Downlink Group
FEAR//LESS project – YMCA DownsLink Group
Weston Youth Café – YMCA Dulverton Group
Best Projects of the Year – Training & Education
Discovery College – YMCA Plymouth
Put the spark back into your future – YMCA DownsLink Group
Step up – YMCA North Staffordshire
Best Projects of the Year – Health & Wellbeing
Cafe Thursday – YMCA Exeter
YMCA WiSE – YMCA DownsLink Group
Heads Together – YMCA East Surrey
Best Projects of the Year – Family Work
Rapid Response – YMCA Norfolk
The Holly Project – YMCA Wellington and District
Yippee & Yip4Youth – YMCA East Surrey
Best Projects of the Year – Accommodation
Sir James Knott House – YMCA North Tyneside
Y-FOCUS – YMCA East Surrey
The Bristol Wing – YMCA Bristol
We would like to say a big thank you to everyone who took the time to make a nomination and 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 across the federation. 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 highly anticipated Youth Matters Awards ceremony, will take place on Friday 8 November, returning to the exclusive 8 Northumberland in central London. The evening promises musical performances, refreshments and a three-course dinner.
Limited early bird tickets to the biggest event in YMCA’s calendar are now on sale. Please note that complimentary tickets are available for finalists.