This year’s Young Active Citizens Awards have been announced and are as follows:

Up to 11 age group:

• Amelia Walsh, aged 9, The Oakland Primary School, Birmingham – Winner – Amelia shows compassion, generosity and commitment to improving the lives of other in her local community.  Amelia independently chose to send Christmas presents to her local children’s home so they could experience the happiness and excitement of the day.
• Daniel Maullin aged 10, The Glebe Centre, Walsall – Highly Commended – Daniel has raised £1,700 through fundraising to help the Glebe Centre provide Christmas meals and food support for the homeless in Walsall.

12-14 age group:

• Grace Holdnall aged 12, The Ridge Primary School, Dudley – Winner – Grace embodies the spirit of the award – using her talents to overcome adversity, improve her community and achieve measurable impact.
• Lacey Isaac aged 13, Ninestiles, An Academy, Birmingham – Highly Commended – Lacey is an exceptional young person who has in impact both individually and on her community.

15-18 aged:

• Reice James aged 18, Sandwell College – Winner – Reice is a highly committed young person whose volunteering, youth advocacy and civic engagement have championed inclusion, equality and diversity.  He is a resilient, inspiring role model making a lasting impact across the region.
• Lola Battista aged 15, a West Midlands Police Cadet, Birmingham – Highly Commended – Lola is an inspiring Police Cadet who proudly embraces her neurodiversity while making a real impact in her community through volunteering, fund raising and representing West Midlands Police.  Her determination, enthusiasm and compassion have helped raise over £3,000 for multiple charities.
• Casey Kimberley aged 15, from 8F (1st City of Coventry) Squadron RAFAC – Highly Commended – Casey is an outstanding young leader and school ambassador who has strengthened trust between young people and local institutions. Resilient, compassionate and innovative she turns personal challenges into positive action creating a lasting impact on her community.

19-25 age group:

• Zaynab Sohawan aged 24, of the University of Birmingham – Winner – Zaynab is a powerful young leader who founded EDA, Emotion Dysreg Autism,at just 24, transforming her lived experience of autism and mental ill health into a charity that has supported over 1,000 autistic young people.  A nationally recognised voice, she has secured over £400k in funding, influenced policy at the highest levels and is reshaping how autistic young people are supported from crisis to recovery.
• Noah Beaty aged 19, from Walsall Rugby Club – Highly Commended – Noah has coached the Walsall U14s for five years, dedicating himself twice weekly to developing not just rugby skills, but confident respectful young people from diverse backgrounds, guided by the sport’s core values.  Overcoming his own challenges, he has become an inspiring role model, whose inclusive, innovative and caring leadership has given vulnerable young people a safe place to belong and thrive, both on and off the field.
• Malika Khan aged 23 from United by 2022 Charity, Birmingham – Highly Commended – Malikah is a young British Asian woman who is breaking down barriers to sports participation for women and girls from under represented communities, through projects like Girls Can Board and her organisation, Unlocking Potential Deaf & Hearing.  From snowboarding to archery, she creates inclusive confidence-building spaces that empower young women to develop life skills.

Lord Lieutenant Derrick Anderson is impressed with the achievements of the young people who are nominated for the Young Active Citizens Award, and said:  “Reflecting the spirit of the Commonwealth by embracing the values of humanity, equality and diversity, the awards celebrate the extraordinary impact that young people are having on the communities in which they live as well as the wider region – from fundraising to mentoring, volunteering to championing special causes.”