‘Unsung Heroes’ Celebrated at Youth and Future Talent Awards

‘Unsung Heroes’ Celebrated at Youth and Future Talent Awards

On Tuesday 22 March, months of planning and hard work by young people from the Newry and Mourne Youth Council and Down Youth Council (Education Authority) came to fruition when the Youth and Future Talent Awards (YAFTAs) were held in the Canal Court Hotel, Newry.

This was a programme delivered in partnership between the Youth Councils and Newry, Mourne and Down District Council.

The YAFTAs were created by young people for young people to highlight the ‘unsung heroes’ throughout the district who do not normally receive recognition for the contribution they make to their families, their schools and in the wider community with all aspects of the programme being planned, designed and managed by the Youth Councils. 

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Vice Chairperson, Councillor Gillian Fitzpatrick said, “I would like to congratulate all of the young people nominated for these awards, whether individually or as a group, winner or runner up. Young people across our district are involved in some fantastic youth work programmes, volunteering, supporting of their peers, friends and families and this deserves to be highlighted and recognised. The Youth and Future Talent Awards allow us all to recognise and celebrate the achievements of our young people with the huge number of nominations highlighting the positive impact the young people have made to the Newry, Mourne and Down District.”

The event was supported by the Office of the First and Deputy First Minister through its Good Relations Programme, the Policing and Community Safety Partnership, Newry Credit Union, KCYC Youth Forum EA, CR Wheels Downpatrick, FM Environmental Newry and Bayview Contracts, Newry.

The Winners and Runners-Up in the six categories were:

Good Relations Award:

Winner:  YEPIE Youth Exchange Programme

Runner-up:  LOHAH, Kilkeel

Young Carer Award:

Winner:  Chloe Watt

Runner-up:  Niamh Kearney

Community Safety Award:

Winner:  Killean Youth Group

Runner-up:  Newry Youth Forum

Voice of Young People Award:

Winner:  Tara Connolly

Runner up: Ross Connolly

Creativity and Innovation Award:

Winner:  Project 500, Assumption Grammar School

Runner-up: Carnagat Youth Group

Inspirational Young Person Award:

Winner:  Ryan Bogues

Runner-up:  Ryan McGivern