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Celebrating the achievements of our young people

Negative stereotypes of young people persist. Too often, teenagers are labelled as lazy, reckless, or immature. The truth is that young people have a great contribution to make. Many play a vital role in our communities. They are our future.

 

I had the privilege of meeting young people from all over Nottinghamshire recently at the 4Uth awards final at County Hall. They have all overcome substantial personal challenges and have gone on to make significant achievements.

It was a real pleasure to meet these inspirational people and celebrate their accomplishments. If they are representative of generations to come, I’m sure our future will be bright.

This year we received almost 100 nominations. This shows just how many young people are out there in our county, making a positive impact and inspiring people around them to tell their stories.

Overall countywide winner, Jasmine Chapman, is a remarkable young woman. Jasmine has achondroplasia, a form of dwarfism. Aged just 11, she raised thousands of pounds for charity, with help from actor Warwick Davies and Paralympian swimmer Ellie Simmonds.

After overcoming major surgery, Jasmine joined the Dwarf Sports Association UK, competing in the National Games, winning several medals. She is a remarkable young woman, and a great ambassador for our region.

The other 4Uth award winners include:

• Ruth Lamb, 13, from Kirkby-in-Ashfield. She raised £4,000 for the John Eastwood Hospice Trust, following the death of her friend, while overcoming her own health issues. She is a young carer for her brother and also supports her grandfather.

• Kelsie Cowen, 13, from Bircotes. A carer for her uncle and grandmother, who passed away, she also cares for her brother, who was involved in a serious accident.

• Connor Cherry-Evans, 15, from Mansfield. He has worked through a traumatic period of disruption in his life, compounded by disability, towards a more positive future.

• Jake Ramsay, 18, from Balderton. He has overcome barriers presented by a learning disability and bereavement to become a valued community volunteer.

• Joe Morris, 15 from Keyworth. Overcoming a difficult period in his life, he learnt to manage mental health issues, becoming a regular member of Keyworth Young People's Centre.

All the winners received awards during the evening, to recognise their accomplishments. I was very happy to meet them, along with their friends and family, as well as the people who nominated them.

The winners can put the 4Uth award on their CVs, confident that their achievements will be recognised by future employers and educators.

Councillor Kay Cutts, Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council