Winners

YMCA North Staffordshire, based in Stoke-on-Trent, has been recognised in the Queen’s Awards for Promoting Opportunity.
The charity’s Creative Youth Minds programme, which focuses on young people aged 16-24, seeks to develop young people by offering them a series of activities that are meaningful and engaging, and helping to build their confidence levels to help them lead successful lives.
With activities centred around the arts and widening learning and participation, as young people engage they are then supported to participate in life-changing opportunities, such as UK-based residentials and international projects. The programme also provides young people with bursaries to help unlock their potential.
YMCA North Staffordshire was able to demonstrate that as a result of its programme design, young people were able to develop their skills, progress their education and secure employment.