Nominations for Young People’s awards extended

THERE is still time to nominate a young person for the Melksham Young People’s awards. 

The popular awards – run by Young Melksham, now 4Youth (South West) – celebrate those young people who have done amazing things, contributed to the local community, made a difference or achieved something special. 

An awards ceremony was scheduled to take place in November last year, but it was postponed in line with Covid guidance. 

The team are now hoping to hold the awards event early in the new year, but in the meantime have left the nominations open until late January to allow for any additional nominations to be submitted. 

Chair of trustees at 4Youth (South West) Jon Hubbard said, “We are really excited to be able to celebrate some of the amazing things young people in our community have done. It’s always so inspiring to read the nominations when they come in and I can’t wait to find out about all the achievements of Melksham’s young people over the past two years.  

“If you know a young person who has done something special, please tell us about it. Send in your nomination and let us help to celebrate how amazing they are.” 

Nominations can be made on the 4Youth website at: https://4youth.org.uk/melksham-awards  

There are six categories for young people to be nominated for: Covid-19 Local Hero Award; Community Champion Award; Making a Difference Award; Sports Award; Arts Award and Outstanding Achievement Award.

Covid-19 Local Hero Award 

Do you know a young person who had contributed to the local community during the Covid-19 pandemic? Maybe this young person has volunteered to help vulnerable people with day-to-day tasks? Perhaps they have been partially supportive to friends or family members during lockdown?

Community Champion Award 

This award is for a young person or a group that has championed their community through volunteering their free time for their community. It could be through fundraising for a local group, helping a local charity for a day or any other voluntary event. It could be a young person who demonstrates exceptional leadership, who has through their passion, commitment and motivation, inspired other young people and those around them. Or it could be a young person who has stood up and raised the profile of their community through their organisation, skills, and hard work. 

Making a Difference Award 

The making a difference award is for an individual or group that have shown skills, initiative, and organisation where they worked hard to achieve significant and positive change and made a difference in other people’s lives. They could also be a young carer who has gone the extra mile to support and care, or cared for someone. 

Sports Award 

This award is for a young person or group who has given 100% to their chosen sport. It may be that they are determined to reach the top spot in their sport, or it could be someone who has just gone far above and beyond what could be expected to help their team/colleagues or themselves to achieve. They may have a vision of representing the local area or to become a professional sports star. 

Arts Award 

This award is for a young person or group who are lively, talented, or creative. Do you know an individual or group who is keen and dedicated to their local dance group, band, school club, musical instrument, choir or who like to perform for the benefit of others? 

Outstanding Achievement Award 

The outstanding achievement award recognises the success of a young person who has achieved something special to them or others, a young person who normally finds it hard to do things or a young person who has simply achieved something outstanding in difficult circumstances. Someone who you think has achieved something worth recognising.