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📝 Nominations Guidance

Select an award:

Young Achiever of the Year
Young Campaigner of the Year
Young Leader of the Year
Young Volunteer of the Year
Young Worker of the Year
Lewis Sewell Memorial Award
Red Triangle Award
Diversity Award
Family & Youth Work Project of the Year
Health & Wellbeing Project of the Year
Housing Project of the Year
Support & Advice Project of the Year
Training & Education Project of the Year
YMCA of the Year

Back to the Youth Matters Awards Portal

Young Achiever of the Year

This award recognises the exceptional achievements of a young person who has overcome significant obstacles to make a real difference in their own lives and their community.

Note

You can nominate any young person (under the age of 30) for this award and there is no limit to the number of young people that you can nominate from your YMCA. However, you must not nominate people across multiple categories. The only exception is the Lewis Sewell Memorial Award. If you have nominated a young person for this award, you may also nominate them for the Lewis Sewell Memorial Award if applicable, as this is judged separately.

When nominating, you will be asked to provide:

Nominee name and contact details
Your (nominator) name and contact details
YMCA name
Your (nominator) relationship to the nominee
A headshot photo of the nominee. We’ve compiled some guidance on taking a good headshot photo.
Nomination blurb (300 words or less)

Nomination blurb

Try to complete this in 300 words or less with clear examples to support your statements. You will need to consider:

What personal barriers and challenges has this young person overcome?
How far has this young person come in the last year, in terms of their achievements, skills and experiences, hopes and aspirations for the future?

This will also be used to form the bio for your nominee, should they be selected as a finalist.

Finalist requirements

If your nominee is selected as a finalist (announced on Monday 10 August) they will need to attend a filming day in London on either Wednesday 9, Thursday 10 or Friday 11 September (with travel costs covered by their YMCA).

You will also need to provide a minimum of five photos of the nominee to be used in their finalist film shown on awards night. For example:

Finalist engaging in any activities, work or volunteering mentioned in their nomination
Finalist socialising with staff, volunteers, young people or residents of your YMCA
Anything else related to their nomination

They will be asked to attend awards night on Friday 13 November and will receive two complimentary tickets, one for them and one for their guest.

Select another award

Young Campaigner of the Year

This award acknowledges a young person advocating for a cause at local, national or international level.

Note

When nominating, you will be asked to provide:

Nominee name and contact details
Your (nominator) name and contact details
YMCA name
Your (nominator) relationship to the nominee
A headshot photo of the nominee. We’ve compiled some guidance on taking a good headshot photo.
Nomination blurb (300 words or less)

Nomination blurb

Try to complete this in 300 words or less with clear examples to support your statements. You will need to consider:

How has this person been actively campaigning on a local, national or international level over the last 12 months?
How have they have inspired, encouraged and motivated people to join and believe in their cause?
How have they made a difference?

This will also be used to form the bio for your nominee, should they be selected as a finalist.

Finalist requirements

You will also need to provide a minimum of five photos of the nominee to be used in their finalist film shown on awards night. For example:

Finalist engaging in any campaigning mentioned in their nomination
Finalist socialising or working with staff, volunteers, young people or residents of your YMCA
Anything else related to their nomination

They will be asked to attend awards night on Friday 13 November and will receive two complimentary tickets, one for them and one for their guest.

Select another award

Young Leader of the Year

This award honours a young person who drives positive change with vision and integrity.

Note

When nominating, you will be asked to provide:

Nominee name and contact details
Your (nominator) name and contact details
YMCA name
Your (nominator) relationship to the nominee
A headshot photo of the nominee. We’ve compiled some guidance on taking a good headshot photo.
Nomination blurb (300 words or less)

Nomination blurb

Try to complete this in 300 words or less with clear examples to support your statements. You will need to consider:

How has this person inspired and led others, worked with a vision that reflects the aims of YMCA, and/or taken others with them to achieve positive outcomes?
How have they inspired, encouraged and motivated other young people to succeed?
Why do they make a real difference to their YMCA?

This will also be used to form the bio for your nominee, should they be selected as a finalist.

Finalist requirements

You will also need to provide a minimum of five photos of the nominee to be used in their finalist film shown on awards night. For example:

Finalist engaging in any activities, work or volunteering mentioned in their nomination
Finalist socialising with staff, volunteers, young people or residents of your YMCA
Anything else related to their nomination

They will be asked to attend awards night on Friday 13 November and will receive two complimentary tickets, one for them and one for their guest.

Select another award

Young Volunteer of the Year

This award recognises a young volunteer who has shown outstanding commitment to YMCA and contributed energy, skills and time.

Note

When nominating, you will be asked to provide:

Nominee name and contact details
Your (nominator) name and contact details
YMCA name
Your (nominator) relationship to the nominee
A headshot photo of the nominee. We’ve compiled some guidance on taking a good headshot photo.
Nomination blurb (300 words or less)

Nomination blurb
Try to complete this in 300 words or less with clear examples to support your statements. You will need to include:

An overview of the nominee’s voluntary work, including the duties and activities they have carried out, the experience, expertise and/or the personal qualities they have contributed.
How they have impacted and inspired others.
What they have done to promote volunteering for YMCA positively.

This will be used to form the bio for your nominee, should they be selected as a finalist.

Finalist requirements

You will also need to provide a minimum of five photos of the nominee to be used in their finalist film shown on awards night. For example:

Finalist engaging in any activities, work or volunteering mentioned in their nomination
Finalist socialising with staff, volunteers, young people or residents of your YMCA
Anything else related to their nomination

They will be asked to attend awards night on Friday 13 November and will receive two complimentary tickets, one for them and one for their guest.

Select another award

Young Worker of the Year

This award recognises a young worker for their outstanding commitment to building a brighter future for young people and for going the extra mile to make a real difference to their lives.

Note

When nominating, you will be asked to provide:

Nominee name and contact details
Your (nominator) name and contact details
YMCA name
Your (nominator) relationship to the nominee
A headshot photo of the nominee. We’ve compiled some guidance on taking a good headshot photo.
Nomination blurb (300 words or less)

Nomination blurb

Try to complete this in 300 words or less with clear examples to support your statements. You will need to consider:

How has this person demonstrated their tireless commitment to supporting the young people they work with?
How have they inspired or motivated young people or gone the extra mile to support a young person?

This will also be used to form the bio for your nominee, should they be selected as a finalist.

Finalist requirements

You will also need to provide a minimum of five photos of the nominee to be used in their finalist film shown on awards night. For example:

Finalist engaging in any activities, work or volunteering mentioned in their nomination
Finalist socialising with staff, volunteers, young people or residents of your YMCA
Anything else related to their nomination

They will be asked to attend awards night on Friday 13 November and will receive two complimentary tickets, one for them and one for their guest.

Select another award

Lewis Sewell Memorial Award

This award recognises a remarkable and humble young individual who embodies the values of positivity, courage, and resilience, and has made a significant impact on their community through their actions.

Note

You can nominate any young person (under the age of 30) for this award and there is no limit to the number of young people that you can nominate from your YMCA. You may nominate a young person for this award only, or in addition to one other young person category. We ask that these nominations are submitted without the nominee’s knowledge. The recipient will be selected in private by the Lewis Sewell Memorial Trust. We will notify you only and the award will be presented to the recipient on the night.

When nominating, you will be asked to provide:

Nominee name and contact details
Your (nominator) name and contact details
YMCA name
Nomination blurb (300 words or less)

Nomination blurb

This will be used to form the the bio for your nominee, announced on the night, should they be selected as a finalist. Try to complete this in 300 words or less. You will need to provide:

An overview of how the nominee has shown courage in facing challenges, whether personal or societal, and have inspired others through their bravery and determination.
How they have displayed remarkable resilience, bouncing back from setbacks with strength and grace.
An overview of how the nominee has become a beacon of hope and inspiration for their peers, serving as a role model for positive change and making a lasting difference in the lives of those around them, through creativity, kindness, service, and leadership.

Requirements

If your nominee is selected as a the award recipient, we will ask that they attend awards night. They will receive two complimentary tickets, one for them and one for their guest.

Select another award

Red Triangle Award

This award recognises a former or current staff member, volunteer, supporter or service user who has shown outstanding commitment to YMCA.

Note

We ask that these nominations are submitted without the nominee’s knowledge. This award will be selected in private, the nominator will be notified, and the award will be presented to the recipient on the night.

You will be asked to provide:

Nominee name and contact details
Nominator name and contact details
YMCA name
Nomination blurb (300 words or less)

Nomination blurb

Try to complete this is in 300 words or less and provide clear examples to back up your statements. You will need to provide:

An overview of the nominee’s involvement in YMCA.
What makes them a cornerstone of your YMCA.
How they have shown unwavering commitment over the years.

This will also be used as a bio on the night should your nominee be selected as the award recipient.

Select another award

Diversity Award

This award recognises a YMCA that has delivered a project that has actively encouraged and/or promoted diversity across age, race, gender, sexual orientation, religion or disability.

Note

If you nominate a project for this award, you must not nominate it for another category.

You will be asked to provide:

Name of YMCA
Name of project
Contact details of the project lead
Five good quality images of the project
Nomination blurb (300 words or less)

Nomination blurb

Try to complete this is in 300 words or less. Consider:

How has this project proactively encouraged and/or promoted diversity?
How has this project encouraged community cohesion and fair representation across staff and governance?
How does this project promote and champion equality?
Please tell us about its key achievements and outcomes and what is different or innovative about the project. Please give clear examples to support your statements.

This will also be used as a bio should your project become a finalist.

Select another award

Family & Youth Work Project of the Year

This award recognises a family or youth work project that has performed outstandingly in the past 12 months. Suitable projects for this category are those that provide positive outcomes with children or young people in their communities, or projects that support families with nursery, daycare, holiday or year-round programmes.

Note

If you nominate a project for this award, you must not nominate it for another category.

You will be asked to provide:

Name of YMCA
Name of project
Contact details of the project lead
Five good quality images of the project
Nomination blurb (300 words or less)

Nomination blurb

Try to complete this is in 300 words or less and provide clear examples to support your statements. You will need to provide:

Key achievements and outcomes of the project.
What is different or innovative about this project.
What impact the project has had on the people you work with and/or the community over the past 12 months.

This will also be used as a bio should your project be selected as a finalist.

Select another award

Health & Wellbeing Project of the Year

This award recognises a health & wellbeing project that has performed outstandingly in the past 12 months. Suitable projects for this category are gym initiatives, sports or recreation clubs for fitness, community hubs for classes, social connection, inclusion or collaboration.

Note

If you nominate a project for this award, you must not nominate it for another category.

You will be asked to provide:

Name of YMCA
Name of project
Contact details of the project lead
Five good quality images of the project
Nomination blurb (300 words or less)

Nomination blurb

Try to complete this is in 300 words or less and provide clear examples to support your statements. You will need to provide:

Key achievements and outcomes of the project.
What is different or innovative about this project.
What impact the project has had on the people you work with and/or the community over the past 12 months.

This will also be used as a bio should your project be selected as a finalist.

Select another award

Housing Project of the Year

This award recognises a housing project that has performed outstandingly in the past 12 months. Suitable projects for this category are housing services or holistic support initiatives that provide a fresh start.

Note

If you nominate a project for this award, you must not nominate it for another category.

You will be asked to provide:

Name of YMCA
Name of project
Contact details of the project lead
Five good quality images of the project
Nomination blurb (300 words or less)

Nomination blurb

Try to complete this is in 300 words or less and provide clear examples to support your statements. You will need to provide:

Key achievements and outcomes of the project.
What is different or innovative about this project.
What impact the project has had on the people you work with and/or the community over the past 12 months.

This will also be used as a bio should your project be selected as a finalist.

Select another award

Support & Advice Project of the Year

This award recognises a support & advice project that has performed outstandingly in the past 12 months. Suitable projects for this category are initiatives like guided groups, mentoring, counselling or mental health services.

Note

If you nominate a project for this award, you must not nominate it for another category.

You will be asked to provide:

Name of YMCA
Name of project
Contact details of the project lead
Five good quality images of the project
Nomination blurb (300 words or less)

Nomination blurb

Try to complete this is in 300 words or less and provide clear examples to support your statements. You will need to provide:

Key achievements and outcomes of the project.
What is different or innovative about this project.
What impact the project has had on the people you work with and/or the community over the past 12 months.

This will also be used as a bio should your project be selected as a finalist.

Select another award

Training & Education Project of the Year

This award recognises a training & education project that has performed outstandingly in the past 12 months. Suitable projects or initiatives for this category are those that provide opportunities to gain qualifications, skills or employment.

Note

If you nominate a project for this award, you must not nominate it for another category.

You will be asked to provide:

Name of YMCA
Name of project
Contact details of the project lead
Five good quality images of the project
Nomination blurb (300 words or less)

Nomination blurb

Try to complete this is in 300 words or less and provide clear examples to back up your statements. You will need to provide:

Key achievements and outcomes of the project.
What is different or innovative about this project.
What impact the project has had on the people you work with and/or the community over the past 12 months.

This will also be used as a bio should your project be selected as a finalist.

Select another award

YMCA of the Year

This award recognises a YMCA that, in the last year, has had a tangible and positive impact on young people and the wider community.

You will be asked to provide:

Name of YMCA
Contact details of the CEO
Contact details of the nominator
Five good quality images of the YMCA
Nomination blurb

Nomination blurb

Please include clear examples to support your statements. You will need to detail:

Key achievements and outcomes.
What is different or innovative about your YMCA.
The impact has your YMCA has had on young people and the community over the past 12 months.
How your YMCA has demonstrated exemplary community impact; innovative programming; effective leadership; strong volunteer engagement; financial sustainability and a commitment to YMCA values and our mission.
How your YMCA has contributed to transformative outcomes for the individuals and communities served.
Please give clear examples to back up your statements.

This will also be used as a bio should your YMCA be selected as a finalist.

Finalist requirements

If your YMCA is selected as a finalist (announced on Monday 10 August) your Chief Executive must be available for filming at your YMCA on either Monday 14 or Tuesday 15 September.

Select another award