Young campaigners praised at the Palace

Making your voice heard is hard enough in the world of information overload - when you’re young and from a disadvantaged background it’s even harder.

Groups who’ve risen to this challenge were celebrated by Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal at St James Palace. Others among the 450 guests included UK Youth President champion Nigel Mansell, actress and campaigner Brooke Kinsella and the hip-hop star Sway.

The award winners are part of a project called Hearing Unheard Voices (HUV). It was set up in 2009 by UK Youth and has enabled 2500 young people to speak up and shape services they access, through media and campaigning activities. Open to 11-18 year-olds it has supported the likes of young carers and refugees, homeless groups, those from ethnic minorities as well as young people not thriving in mainstream education.

Chris Hampton was among the winners after setting up and promoting his website ‘Autism Don’t Panic’. It aims to educate people about the condition and support those living with it. “Since 2009 the site has had hits from all over the world and we have gone on to set up a monthly social group. This has given me huge confidence and it’s no stretch to say it has changed my life.”

The group who launched Verita Magazine, which campaigns for human rights through sharing stories and experiences, won the partnership award. The magazine is linked to a major local newspaper website and also works alongside charities like Amnesty. Sophie Mei helped set it up. "We were genuinely shocked and thrilled to win. It has been a great day and a great achievement and through our magazine we hope to support other campaigns and empower even more young people."

Through training days, road-shows, online activity and films, groups have been empowered to campaign on a whole range of issues. Other winners included an HIV awareness campaign, a disability access campaign, a campaign to stop the abolition of Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) and a campaign to improve community leisure facilities in an area of the West Midlands.

New UK Youth ambassador Sway summed up the awards event. “This was truly inspirational. It’s so satisfying to see that unheard voices are finally getting heard.”