Why?
The ANV AMPLIFY awards aim to champion and recognise the work of children in care councils and care leaver forums. They were held in October 2024 (Amplify – Coram Voice) – North East Lincolnshire Middlesbrough Care Ambassadors were nominated for the ‘Participation award’.
What?
‘Our Voice, Listen Up!’ are a group of young people in care aged 11 – 18 years who meet fortnightly in North East Lincolnshire. They come together for friendship, fun, food and making a difference.
- This group don’t just think of themselves but regularly think of how they make a difference to others. The YOUnique awards is just one example of this.
- Young people had been asking for some time to get the annual awards event back up and running. So instead of waiting for someone else to do this they wrote a proposal and presented this to an Assistant director and got approval to plan and deliver this event themselves with some support from staff.
- They showed real tenacity and care for others. They planned the event from start to finish including setting the categories, making decisions about the content and format, decorations and food as well as hosting the event throughout.
- They showed real commitment to a process over a period of time, all took on roles and really grew in confidence. Not just from presenting and performing to a crowd of 150 people but in growing their sense of belief they could do it and the adults had put their trust in them to do this and do it well. This is now an annual event.
- They had an idea and heard others voices about bringing an event they had enjoyed previously that had stopped during covid and not returned.
- They decided to do something about this themselves and created a plan and proposal.
- They considered what they loved from previous events and what they would like to add.
- Presented the proposal to an assistant director and gained approval to progress their ideas with some support.
- Planned the event making decisions on when where and how the event would work, setting the categories.
- Hosted the event themselves including giving performances of dance, a poem they wrote for the event and singing.
What difference did it make?
- The young people involved in bringing this back have noticed increased confidence in themselves and from others.
- The young people who received awards and attended the event told us how much they enjoyed it and many told us how they were pleased we had it back again.
- Captured treasured memories for the young people attending through the event and giving them their photo booth pictures.
- One of our long serving carers was given a special recognition award from an adult who was cared for by them when they were living in the children’s home they worked at.
- It has been reinstated as an annual event and is lead by young people in partnership with managers and staff across the service. This year the awards are being sponsored by many of our partners and foster friendly businesses locally.