The 2014 award winners (left to right): Meg Cannon [koko], Rose Greensmith, Andy Sykes [e:merge], Tim Elgar [e:merge], Sarah Stone, Alice Price, David Stemp (Not pictured: Sanctum)
BEST YOUTH WORK EMPLOYER: E:MERGE BRADFORD
Sponsored by Moorlands College
Awarded for: ‘Excellent leadership of a complex organisation, while maintaining the balance of love, care and support for all staff and volunteers. There are well-organised systems of management and supervision, which enable staff to thrive and flourish.’
BEST YOUTH WORK RESOURCE: SANCTUM (CYO Colchester)
Sponsored by Premier Youthwork
Sanctum is an interactive prayer installation for use in schools. One young person who experienced it said, ‘It made me feel confident
and helped me let go of fears; it actually changed my life.’
MOST INNOVATIVE YOUTH WORK: KOKO
Sponsored by Oasis College
Koko is a website for teenage girls. ‘Koko takes a fresh look at issues saturated negatively by the media. It offers a hopeful voice, and is communicating the gospel in a non-preachy way.’
UNSUNG HERO OF THE YEAR: SARAH STONE
Sponsored by Existence Ltd
Sarah is a trustee of Cheltenham Youth for Christ. ‘Over the years, Sarah has worked tirelessly in the background to ensure our work with young people continues and is resourced. She allows the team more time to focus on face-to-face work while ensuring the background
organisation and admin is completed.’
YOUTH WORKER OF THE YEAR: ALICE PRICE
Sponsored by CYM
Alice is a Croydon-based youth worker. ‘Alice has done amazing work on the Monks Hill Estate including some creative and effective mentoring of young people, running a youth club and coaching a football team. She lives on the estate and is known by all the young people in this area as a person of integrity and compassion, which springs from a solid Christian faith and belief that she is called to do this work in this place.’
Nominations open shortly for the 2015 awards, which will include at least one new category.
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR: SHARED BY ROSE GREENSMITH AND DAVID STEMP
Sponsored by CPAS Ventures
Rose Greensmith, an 18 year-old Catholic lay volunteer. ‘Her flexibility, adaptability and teamwork and leadership skills are greatly valued by the whole parish community. She goes above and beyond her remit of a volunteer.’
David Stemp, a 70-something chess enthusiast. ‘David has been a volunteer at a breakfast club for the past six years. He is the most consistent team member and brings a mature perspective. His youth work is beautiful. He teaches and plays chess with young people over breakfast.’
