Closing Date - 31/01/2009

What is the Lord-Lieutenant’s Award?

Young people are key members of society and it is important that their positive role within our community is recognised and celebrated. There are many good examples of what young people have achieved, sometimes despite great disadvantage and obstacles placed before them.

The Lord-Lieutenant, Jennifer, Lady Gretton has established this award scheme to raise the profile of young people’s achievements. In partnership with organisations such as those agencies offering services to young people and the business community this award seeks to identify and reward the very best examples of achievement by young people in Leicester and Leicestershire.

Eligibility criteria for the award:

• The award is open to young people aged 13-19 (as at 31/03/09) living in Leicester or Leicestershire.
• The young person should be nominated by other young people or school, parent/carer or any other agency.

The award recognises and rewards young people who have demonstrated volunteering and/or leadership, commitment and determination in four specific categories:

1. Bravery:
Overcoming personal barriers to achieve success, making a stand against bullying, racism etc, or a life-saving act of bravery.

2. Kindness in helping others:
Supporting an elderly neighbour or relative, fundraising, etc.

3. Improving the community:
Commitment to improving their school, community or local environment.

4. A voice for young people:
Contribution to promoting the views of children and young people in decision making.

5. Creativity and Innovation:
Demonstrating fresh thinking and new ideas in the arts, music, engineering or computing.

There will be a separate award for each category. From the winners of these categories one person will be announced as Lord-Lieutenant’s Young Person of the Year.

Nominators are asked to suggest an appropriate prize to the value of £500. It will not be possible for the young person to receive the award in cash or cheque. The suggested prize should be beneficial to the nominee’s interest, studies or current or future employment, such as computer hardware and software, or specialist tools and equipment.

The selection and award of prizes:

A panel of judges, which will include young people and chaired by the Lord-Lieutenant, will consider all nominations meeting the criteria for the award.

The judges will shortlist 3 young people to be nominated for each category of the Award.

The shortlisted nominees will be invited to attend an Awards Evening to be hosted by the Lord-Lieutenant. Friends and family will be welcome.

The shortlisted nominees will each receive a framed certificate acknowledging their personal achievement.
Category Winners will be announced at the Awards Ceremony, with each winner receiving a prize to the value of £500.