East Riding young people were celebrated for their voice and influence work at the second annual Volunteen Voice awards.
Young people’s work across different organisations, services and communities were celebrated in 16 categories including; East Riding Youth Council, Environmental Champion, Young Safeguarding Champions, Voices That Influence, Young Carers Service, Humber Youth Action Group, Nothing About Us Without Us, East Riding Safeguarding Children Partnership and East Riding Members of UK Youth Parliament.
The awards saw around 125 people attend, and over 70 young people received awards for their voice and influence work.
George Jackson was one of the young people celebrated for involvement with East Riding Youth Council. The Youth Council has started touring the East Riding to be able to involve more young people, and it has met in Beverley, Goole and Bridlington so far. George is a key part of the group who work on ‘Make Your Mark’ topics voted on by young people, including health and wellbeing, crime and safety and the arts and culture offer. The Youth Council are also exploring ways to improve affordable access to transport for young people, tackling bullying, climate change, and having more fun and positive activities for young people to take part in.
George Jackson, Co-Chair of East Riding Youth Council and elected East Riding Member of Youth Parliament said: “We need to let young people’s voices be heard as they are the future of this world, and their insights are crucial for us to see what can be fixed and what can be made better.”
Anya Tovey was one of the young people celebrated for her work in re-launching The Young Leaders of East Riding (TYLER) group, for young people with SEND. Anya helped take the group into schools around the East Riding to see what other young people with SEND would like from the TYLER group.
Anya Tovey, Co-Chair of East Riding Youth Council said: “Being part of Community VISION has given me the opportunity to speak for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities, making sure that their voices are heard. I got involved because I believe that young people can make a change and can make our community better.”
Councillor Victoria Aitken, cabinet member for children, families and education said: “The Volunteen Voice awards are a great chance to celebrate the amazing work that young people have done and continue to do.
“Along with our partners, we know the importance of listening to our young people and what a difference their involvement makes. Well done and a big thank you to these fantastic young people whose perspectives help drive meaningful change.”
The Volunteen Voice Awards are supported by East Riding of Yorkshire Council and co-ordinated by Community VISION as part of their Volunteen Voice project, which aims to enable all young people across the East Riding to have a say about a range of topics that are important to them, locally, regionally and nationally. Find out more.
