Duo in running for NW Youth Voice awards
AMEMBER of Rochdale Youth Service and the director of children’s services have been recognised in awards to ensure young people’s voices are heard.
Amaan Iqbal, 15, and Gail Hopper have both been nominated in the 2019 North West Youth Voice Awards, run by the British Youth Council.
Oulder Hill School pupil Amaan was nominated in the ‘Award for Personal Development’ category which recognises young people who have taken on extra responsibility, stepped up when needed and become a leader.
He was nominated by the youth service because of his dedicated work on the Curriculum For Life programme, in addition to his important youth cabinet role.
Amaan said: “I couldn’t believe it when I saw I’d been nominated, I was so surprised.
“The awards are a really big deal so I am so proud to be nominated, I’m telling all my friends and family.”
Ms Hopper was nominated in the ‘Youth Voice Champion’ category, which recognises those who go above and beyond in raising the profile of youth voice, locally or nationally, and show a commitment to it.
She was nominated by young people involved in the youth service because of the dedication she has shown to supporting young people.
She said: “I am so incredibly touched by this nomination, and the fact that it is young people who have nominated me means the world.
“We work really hard to ensure we listen to young people and involve them in decision making and it’s something we’re really passionate about here in Rochdale.
“I see this nomination as recognition of the work all our staff in children’s services are doing to genuinely listen to and engage young people.
“We have so much to learn from them.”
The awards final will be held this evening, in Middlewich, Cheshire as part of the British Youth Council’s North West youth convention session.
Coun Kieran Heakin, Rochdale council’s cabinet member for children’s services, said: “To have two people representing Rochdale in an award that covers the whole of the North West is a reflection of the great work we do with young people and that the young people do themselves.
“I wish them both the best of luck for the award ceremony; they both fully deserve the recognition.”