Rutland Youth Council will be holding the Rutland Young People's Awards on Thursday 23 March 2023, and now is the time to start nominating.

Through these awards, Rutland County Council (RCC) aim to identify and recognise the achievements of young people in Rutland, in partnership with:

• Rutland County Council
• schools
• youth groups
• others who work with young people

Rutland residents are invited to nominate young people who have shown exceptional volunteering and/or leadership commitment and determination in any of the five categories available:

Benefitting the Community

This award is for a young person who has worked to make a difference in the community and raise awareness of the positive contribution young people can make to society. This could be through things like:

• volunteering
• fundraising
• setting up a much needed project
• breaking down barriers
• bringing diverse groups of people together

Overcoming Adversity

RCC want to recognise a young person who has had challenges to work through - this could be someone that:

• overcame personal barriers to achieve success
• made a stand against bullying or discrimination
• worked to support or educate other young people

Maizie from Catmose College will be represending England at the Internation Dance Federation Championships this May (image courtesy of Kirsty Whit).

Young People's Champion

This prize will go to someone who is:

• always considering the needs of other young people
• placing their needs before their own
• promoting others
• working selflessly to help their peers overcome their own challenges

Disabled Young People's Champion

For a young person with a special educational need or disability who:

• supports other young people to be heard and have a voice
• supports their peers in challenging situations
• puts the needs of other people before their own
• has overcome barriers - either socially, emotionally or physically

Super Group Award

This award is aimed at recognising a group that have worked together to benefit the community and considered the needs of others above their own.

Oakham School's Jono raised Money for CALM in December 2022.

The awards are open to young people aged over 11 (in secondary school) who live in Rutland or attend a Rutland school.

Group nominations are accepted - but if they win, the prize voucher will have to be shared across the group.

Who can nominate?

A young person can be nominated by:

• other young people
• schools
• parents or carers
• any agency

Fill in this online form on the RCC website to nominate a local youth for one of these categories.

The selection and award of prizes?

Judges will shortlist nominees.

Winners and runners-up will be announced at the awards ceremony on Thursday 23 March 2023.

Details will be announced shortly, and family and friends are welcome to attend.

Oakham pupils worked hard to raise money selling goods and produce in summer 2022 (image courtesy of Oakham School).