NCVYS Young Partners Award: Recognising participation and awarding achievement

The National Council for Voluntary Youth Services (NCVYS) held its annual Young Partners Award ceremony on Saturday 5^th December 2009 at the Sadler's Wells Theatre. 

The NCVYS Young Partners Award is a celebration of youth participation within voluntary and community youth organisations and projects. 

The ceremony was planned and hosted by members of NCVYS's national youth forum ENVOY, a network of young people aged between 11 and 25. 

This year's event saw twelve groups of young people showcasing the fantastic work they've achieved within these organisations to an audience of nearly 150 attendees from across England.

The awards were divided into four categories, with each having three shortlisted nominees and one winner in each section.

Winners were selected across English regions and they were:

• The University of the First Age (UFA) as national winners who are a national education charity who are committed to working with Local Authorities, schools, organisations, communities and individuals to enrich and extend learning for young people aged 5 to 25.

• Music and Change (MAC UK) as South regional winners who works with some of London's most challenging young people and uses music as a tool for promoting positive mental health, community integration and employment.

• The 14-19 North East Youth Advisory Board as North regional winners who are a network of young people from different parts of the North East who want to have a say about issues that affect them.

• Diversity Hub from the Midlands and Southwest winners who are a leadership and training organisation that works to bring individuals, families and communities together to celebrate diversity and promote understanding.

All organisations were recognised for actively involving young people in decision making processes and rewards were given to them by giving everyone the chance to demonstrate their work and achievements.

Insia Ishaji, UFA Youth Ambassador said, "Winning the NCVYS Young Partners Award is a huge achievement for us at the UFA and we are thrilled to have been a part of something so amazing that acknowledges the hard work of the young people we work with. The Lead Learner and YoUFA project has been a huge success and we are looking forward to watch the project develop even further. The ceremony was fantastic, full of excitement, music and an array of fantastic organisations that work with young people all with the same aim. To put young people at the heart of what they do." 

The 14-19 North-East Youth Advisory Board said, "The experience of attending the awards was a fantastic experience!!! To see so many groups committed to youth participation made us proud to be involved in any project that's involved in that respect, never mind one which would go on to win the award! It was such a surprise but on which made us immensely proud!"

The event boasted terrific street dance performances from ITVs Britain's Got Talent, FLAVA who have created a ‘b inspired' programme aiming to engage young people and inspire them to enjoy interests, build confidence and kindle self-identity.

Other great performances came from Music and Change UK who showcased their rap and Deejay talents.

Charlie Alcock, Chief Executive of Music and Change UK said, "It was an unbelievable day which encouraged all of our young people to get involved, even a young man who had just come out of prison.  We were all buzzing by the end and it was amazing to see the young people so happy and full of pride about what they had achieved"