Category finalists

CATEGORY WINNER: Just 4 Youth by West Middlesbrough Neighbourhood Trust
Just 4 Youth was set up in 2007 to involve young people in improving the delivery of services for other youngsters in west Middlesbrough. It was designed to help youngsters from disadvantaged backgrounds who had become disengaged from education and employment. Originally run as one of four government pilots, Just 4 Youth now operates as a social enterprise in its own right. Five of the organisation’s core staff members are young people, and there are plans to move towards a governance structure in which young people can sit as trustees of the Just 4 Youth board.

Creative Communities, Midlands Architecture & Built Environment (Made), Birmingham

Made, the West Midlands’ regional architecture centre, has been running three projects under its Creative Communities programme to engage young people in the process of place-making and regeneration. The projects have been operating in three regeneration areas – Solihull, Tamworth and Sandwell – and have engaged young people in various creative activities designed to give participants a sense of having contributed to the improvement of their area.

Envision, London
Launched in 2000, Envision is youth empowerment programme run by young people for young people. Aimed at 16-19 year olds, the programme seeks to give young people the skills and confidence to play a positive role in their communities. A further aim is to challenge negative stereotypes of young people as a menace to communities. Over 6,000 young people have so far taken part in the programme.

Old Ford Housing Association, London
In 2002, Old Ford Housing Association in Bow, east London, applied for permission to build a youth centre to combat anti-social behaviour. The centre was completed in 2006 with the active involvement of the young people in the community, who now use it for activities including music and dancing.

Oldington & Foley Park Neighbourhood Management Pathfinder, Kidderminster
Established in 2004 to tackle deprivation in Kidderminster’s Oldington and Foley Park ward, the pathfinder made the engagement of young people one of its core priorities. As a result, young people have been actively involved in all aspects of the pathfinder’s work and in turn encouraged greater participation among the wider adult community.