Teenzone honours its youth leaders with awards

Young people were recognised for their achievements in the community at an awards ceremony last week.

Teenzone, based at Christ Church in Stamford, held its annual Youth Leadership Awards on Wednesday (November 25).

The awards are held for members of Teenzone’s youth leadership scheme, which comprises 13 young people aged 10 to 15 who are an instrumental part of the running of the project.

From the moment the young people express interest in joining the scheme, they are given tasks which provide personal development, from completing application forms, to attending interviews, and that is before they have even made it onto the programme.

This term the team was asked to raise money for, and organise a residential trip in the Peak District, develop a menu at Teenzone, deliver assemblies at Teenzone and more.

The programme is designed to provide a platform for young people to develop key life skills from confidence, leadership, team work, to practical skills such as public speaking, delivering activities and cookery.

This year’s winners were:

○ Activities leader of the year: Lewis Parkinson

○ Youth panel award: Rosie-Jo Ellis

○ Christ Church award: Ben White

○ Mentoring award: George Chandler

○ Fundraising award: Lewis Parkinson

○ Holiday programme leader of the year: Noah Allman

○ Youth leader of the year: Jack Jackson and Katie Warren

○ Sports leader of the year: James Millar

○ Merit award: Joe Corby

○ Arts award: Joe Corby

○ Teenzone ambassador: George Chandler

There was also a special recognition award for the young person who went the extra mile for Teenzone. Katie Warren, who is 14 and attends Stamford Welland Academy, was rewarded with a special celebration for her hard work and dedication to the community, and to helping to shape other young people’s future.

Teenzone youth service manager Ali Rigby said: “We are all really proud of the achievements of these young people who have each worked to identify their future goals and ambitions.”