Rotherham teenagers shine bright at Youth Voice Star Awards

YOUNG people from Rotherham won big at a ceremony which recognises inspirational youth work — bringing home a handful of accolades.
Sarah Bellamy, Edana Munnik, Amaryia Bi, Amaan Ali Saqlain, Adiba Bi, William Brown, Sundas Raza, Toni Paxford, Molly Crossmore, Emilia Ashton, Natanael ZytkowiakSarah Bellamy, Edana Munnik, Amaryia Bi, Amaan Ali Saqlain, Adiba Bi, William Brown, Sundas Raza, Toni Paxford, Molly Crossmore, Emilia Ashton, Natanael Zytkowiak
Sarah Bellamy, Edana Munnik, Amaryia Bi, Amaan Ali Saqlain, Adiba Bi, William Brown, Sundas Raza, Toni Paxford, Molly Crossmore, Emilia Ashton, Natanael Zytkowiak

The Youth Voice Star Awards, run by the British Youth Council, celebrated the breadth and diversity of youth work regionally. 

They also recognised the workers and organisations that make it happen, as well as projects which do things differently to address local and national issues.

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Rotherham’s Youth Cabinet, whose recent manifestos have focussed on improving opportunities for youth mental health training, helping to raise awareness and enabling mutual support, were big winners at the ceremony in Leeds.

It was their work to raise awareness of mental health issues which caught the judges’ eye, including how teenage body image can cause distress, especially due to pressures of social media.

The young politicians scooped the young campaigners of the year award, while individual members were also adorned with accolades for their commitment to rolling out Paige’s Project — which offers safe spaces for children with eating disorders, mental health difficulties and invisible, chronic illnesses.

Toni Paxford (19), who scooped the regional diversity award for her work on Paige’s Project, said: “I’m exceptionally proud of all the work we have achieved as a project and as a borough, it demonstrates the amazing work going on in our area and I’m glad this got recognised.

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“We are committed to making sure we tackle what is pressing for young people here in Rotherham. 

“So far, we have campaigned on body image, mental health, open water safety and public transport issues. We will continue to campaign to ensure our young people have a voice and are heard.”

Emilia Ashton (19) got a special award for commitment to youth voice.

Youth cabinet member Molly Crossmore (17) scooped two awards — the personal development award and the accolade for best youth-led project for her work as part of the 

Yorkshire and Humberside Regional Steering Group. 

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Rotherham Borugh Council officers were also recognised for their role in helping to promote the voice of young people. 

Sarah Bellamy, who runs the youth cabinet, won the regional youth voice worker award. 

Ruth Fletcher-Brown, from the council’s public health team, was a joint winner of the youth voice champion award, for her work in promoting mental health services for young people, including with the My Mind Matters website. 

Ruth shared the award with Tim Taylor from South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive, who was rewarded for his commitment to improving the experience of young people on public transport .

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Mr Taylor, who is SYPTE’s irector of customer services, said: “I am honoured and humbled to have won this award and I’m extremely proud that SYPTE’s commitment to improving public transport for young people has been recognised.”

Cllr Gordon Watson, the council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for children and young people’s services said the youth cabinet were “such an asset to us here in Rotherham for their tireless work they do to ensure the voice of our young people is heard and acted upon”.

He added: “These awards clearly recognise the numerous successes they have had and their dedication and commitment to improving services for young people. 

“Here’s to them winning further awards nationally later in the year.”

The regional winners will attend the national awards in London on March 8.

 

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