The winners have been announced of this year’s prestigious Youth Buzz Awards that see young people in Manchester recognised for their stand-out achievements that help make a positive difference to themselves, their communities, or their peers
The awards recognise young people up to the age of 19 and are organised by Manchester Youth Council, supported by the city council’s Youth, Play and Participation Service, and are sponsored by a number of local businesses and organisations.
This year’s awards saw more than 130 nominations made across eleven different categories with three nominees making it through to the final round of judging in each award category and winners decided by a judging panel made up entirely of young people from Manchester Youth Council, led by Manchester’s three MYPs – members of the UK Youth Parliament.
The names of the winners were revealed at a glittering city centre awards ceremony attended by the Lord Mayor of Manchester Councillor Yasmine Dar and over 150 young people, including finalists and their guests. The awards were hosted by Toni Banjo, a member of Manchester Youth Council and Councillor Garry Bridges, Executive Member for Early Years, Children and Young People and also featured live performances by young Manchester musicians who showed off their talents playing the harp, clarinet, saxophone and guitar.
Winners included Caprice Dibble who won the award for Outstanding Achievement by a Young Person in recognition of her amazing creative and digital talents which have seen her assist with the complete redesign of a young-person-friendly Local Offer website for young people who have special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and the redesign of the Local Offer logo. She also produced a survey to understand the various ways young people engage with social media in order to target young people who have SEND and to increase awareness of opportunities through the Local Offer.
Winner of the Making a Difference Award which recognises a young person who has helped achieve positive and lasting change for young people in the areas of safety, health, equality, identity or belonging was David Hamlett. After first going along himself to Manchester Water Sports Club to learn how to sail, he rapidly progressed achieving both lifeguard and powerboat qualifications, before then becoming a sailing instructor and gaining employment with the club, where he now works with other young people, passing on the skills he has learned to them.
Burnage Academy for Boys’ student Ahmad Nazar took away the Climate Action Award after spearheading the climate club at his school and demonstrating an unwavering passion for tackling environmental challenges. Notable projects he has led on include organising litter picks within the local community and crafting bird feeders, as well as various different recycling activities.
The Young Leader Award for a young person who demonstrates exceptional leadership skills went to Isla Carney, a longstanding youth member of Manchester Settlement who is described as a ‘leader of leaders’ in her role as a Youth Panel member.
The Piper Hill Travel Pass Campaign Committee came out top in the Most Effective Youth Voice or Campaign award category. The committee – made up of young people who each have special education needs and disabilities – have campaigned tirelessly to ensure that the carers of people with disabilities could travel free instead of having to pay the full transport fare. Their Fare Deal for Carers campaign saw them lobby and gain the support of local councillors and Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and it’s hoped the campaign’s objectives will be implemented in the coming months across Greater Manchester.
