Mayor's Youth Awards nominations approach deadline day

Residents are being urged to nominate outstanding young people in their community for the Mayor of Rochdale’s Youth Awards, with the deadline for nominations Friday 28 February. 

Held annually in recognition of young people’s achievements and contributions towards their peers and local communities, the awards are open to any one aged 11 – 19 based in, or connected to the Rochdale borough. 

Rochdale’s Mayor, Cllr Peter Rush, said: “I am intensely proud of the community spirit and enthusiasm shown by Rochdale’s youth. These awards are a way for us to show our appreciation for some of the wonderful contributions made to our borough by young people, and I very much look forward to learning more about the individuals and groups that are nominated this year.”

Anyone can nominate a young person, with 16 award categories for individuals and groups, including Voice for Young People, Leader or Volunteer, Young Carer, Charity Champion and Contribution to the Community.

A specially selected judging panel will discuss and choose the winning nominations, with the winners announced and presented with an award at the Mayor’s Youth Awards Ceremony on March 27.

Those who choose to nominate an individual or group of young people are asked to ensure the information provided is clear, inclusive and explicit.  The judges will be reading many applications, so informative evidence will help the application stand out to the panel.

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 Notes for editors:

Anyone can nominate a young person, simply download and complete the form found at http://www.rochdale.gov.uk/schools_and_children/children__young_people/activities_for_young_people.aspx

The closing date for nominations is Friday28^th February 2014

Letters of support can be written by another group/individual with first-hand knowledge
of the nominee and be able to endorse their contribution.

All nominations will be acknowledged by the panel and read thoroughly.  However, not all nominations will be successful in being presented with an award. The judging panel will choose the top 3 nominations from each category to attend the event at which the award will be presented.  You can however, nominate the young person again next year and all young people should be credited for being nominated in the first place. 

Young individuals and groups aged 11 - 19 from anywhere within the Rochdale borough, or with strong links with Rochdale, can be nominated.

Award categories

 Outstanding individual:

· Best new comer

· Contribution to the community

· Leader or volunteer 

· Long service achievement

· Most Committed  

· Nancy Todd D of E achievement award*

· Peer mentor of the year

· Personal achievement 

· Sporting achievement

· Voice for young people

· Young carer

Outstanding group:

· Charity champion

· Contribution to the community

· Leader of volunteer

· Performance group

· Sporting achievement