Last night UK Youth held the first Inspiring Hope Awards, in association with UPS, with more than 500 guest signing up for the event. And what a night it was! We came together to celebrate the extraordinary achievements of young people and youth organisations, and to recognize some incredible supporters – a much-needed blast of joy.
It was a fun-packed night, hosted by Kiss FM presenter Swarzy Macaly, with some fantastically talented young people providing entertainment, and even an address from our patron, HRH The Princess Royal.
We received a staggering 355 nominations for the Inspiring Hope Awards 2021 which then had to be narrowed down to 6 finalists for each Award. This was such a hard challenge as the achievements of each and every nominee were all worthy of winning.
The winners of each Award are as follows:
- UR Feed Inspiring Young Creative Award – Isabella Evans
Isabella Evans creates short videos teaching others to learn Makaton sign language. She now has over 200,000 followers learning through her social media content and video tutorials.
- Coca-Cola European Partners Inspiring Inclusivity Award – The National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain
The National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain’s ‘Mighty River’ project was imagined and curated entirely by young people and inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement. Through this project, the National Youth Orchestra have increased diversity and participation form BAME and female young people in classical music.
- 10th Bridge Consulting Inspiring Leadership Award- Alex Gurpinar from Space Youth Services
Alex Gurpinar works as a youth worker delivering detached youth work in the community, supporting young people on a range of issues including reducing serious violence. Alex has been described as an outstanding youth worker who is determined and dedicated the young people she supports.
- Aiimi Inspiring Pioneer Award- Friend for Life
Friend for Life creates lifelong intergenerational friendships to support young people and children who are looked after by the local authority. They strive to give this usually disadvantaged group a reliable and trustworthy adult in their life.
- Aphrodite Angels Inspiring Supporter Award – Mark Nicholas
Mark Nicholas has supported UK Youth for a number of years. This year Mark and his team secured, refurbished and delivered more than 100 devices for local youth organisations in the UK Youth network ensuring that young people could stay connected to their youth organisations and schools.
- PwC Inspiring Youth Organisation – We Belong
We Belong is the UK’s first migrant-youth led organisation, campaigning for the rights of young migrants. Working with over 1,300 young people, We Belong organise and mobilise young people to create social change using their personal experience of the UK’s immigration system to advocate for a positive narrative around migration and immigration.
- Give it Away Inspiring Hope Young Person Award- Kas Nathan from SPEAR London Springboard Project
Kas Nathan has worked tirelessly to support and uplift residents of a young persons’ hostel throughout the pandemic. Kas has played a key role in multiple projects that provide practical support to young people experiencing homelessness. On top of this she supports her community by volunteering with the Prisoners Education Trust and NHS vaccination programme.
In addition to a night of raising joy and hope, an incredible £22,900 was raised to support vital youth work! There is still a week for anyone over 18 to enter the prize draw and silent auction, with incredible prizes including exclusive holidays, restaurant cooking kits and much, much more – Click here to enter.
Last night’s celebration was made possible by the sponsorship of UPS, with individual prizes and awards sponsored by Give it Away, 10th Bridge Consulting, Coca Cola European Partners, Aphrodite Angels, PwC, UR Feed and Aiimi. We are extremely grateful for all of their support!