YMCA Weston super Mare finalists at Youth Matters Awards YMCA Weston super Mare have become finalists in the Young Campaigner and Diversity Award categories at the 2019 national YMCA Youth Matters Awards. [see earlier announcement] The national YMCA Youth Matters Awards, held annually, recognise hard-working and dedicated individuals or projects who work to support local YMCA initiatives. After judging and a public vote, Weston Youth Café has been announced as one of three finalists in the Diversity Award category, alongside Iris Farler-Smith who is amongst the finalists in the Young Campaigner of the Year category. W-s-M Youth Café hosts many groups, including young carers, the Ups and Downs group for young people with Down’s Syndrome, home educators network and club for home educated young person’s club, a weekly coffee morning for local church group. Social evenings for adults with disabilities are also held at the café, and support those with mental health issues or feelings of isolation into feeling safe and more connected with the community. As a key member of the Youth Council, Iris Farler- Smith has organised youth environmental protests against the expansion of Bristol Airport; facilitated consultations with North Somerset Council on transport developments and petitions for change locally as well as nationally. Martin Hodgson, CEO of YMCA Dulverton Group said: “It’s great news to hear that we have two finalists at this year’s Youth Matters Awards. “W-s-M Youth Café have been recognised for outstanding work, which can sometimes throw up challenging situations where the team are tested. We have a strong and committed partnership with the Town Council in Weston-super-Mare which has given us a great platform to connect with a truly broad mix of young people and groups in the community. “The Weston team are dedicated to their work within the community and go above and beyond to ensure the best possible outcomes are achieved, so this recognition is well-deserved. “I look forward to the awards in November and will be keeping my fingers crossed for our finalists, as well as wishing the others the best of luck.” The awards will be held in London on November 8th, where the overall category winners will be announced on the evening.

YMCA Weston super Mare semi-finalists in national Youth Matters Awards The YMCA England and Wales 2019 Youth Matters Award semi-finalists have been announced, and YMCA Weston super Mare (part of YMCA Dulverton Group) have been shortlisted in several categories. Nominated for the Diversity Award, Weston Youth Café is situated in the town centre and is a hub of activity, open for the whole community. The café provides a welcoming space for everyone, and hosts a variety of groups, classes and activities for a wide cross section of the community. W-s-M Youth Café hosts many groups, including young carers, the Ups and Downs group for young people with Down’s Syndrome, home educators network and club for home educated young person’s club, a weekly coffee morning for local church group. Social evenings for adults with disabilities are also held at the café, and support those with mental health issues or feelings of isolation into feeling safe and more connected with the community. As well as being nominated for the café she manages, May Barnett has been nominated as Young Worker of the Year. May began an apprenticeship with YMCA Dulverton Group working for the Weston branch 4 years ago. Now, she is Lead of Youth and Community Café and Bleadon Youth Club. May continues to support the youth programme delivered within the area and other work carried out by YMCA Dulverton Group, such as Daycamps, events and inter-generational projects. Vice President of the Youth Council Iris Smith has also been shortlisted and is a semi-finalist in the Young Campaigner of the Year category. As a key member of the Youth Council, Iris has organised youth environmental protests against the expansion of Bristol Airport; facilitated consultations with North Somerset Council on transport developments and petitions for change locally as well as nationally. Martin Hodgson, CEO of YMCA Dulverton Group said: “I am hugely proud to see that teams within YMCA Dulverton Group are once again being recognised for their hard work by the YMCA Youth Matters judges. May and the team at Weston Youth Café work hard to deliver a variety of services to communities across North Somerset and support many local events, such as Weston Pride. “These three semi-finalists deserve to be recognised for their hard-work, determination and dedication and I hope that our local communities show their support by voting for them before Monday 23rd August.” The three semi-finalists now require public votes in order to progress onto becoming finalists at the awards in November. Voting is now open and you have the chance to support the semi-finalists up until Monday 23rd August where votes close. To vote, you can visit the Youth Matters Awards website at: <https://www.ymca.org.uk/about/awards/youth-matters-semi-finalists> Semi-finalists will be announced in due course, with the prestigious awards ceremony hosted by YMCA England and Wales being held in London in November. To find out more about the Diversity Award: <https://www.ymca.org.uk/about/awards/diversity-award-2019#1553519935690-dac6779d-1c7eaea4-3752> To find out more about Young Worker of the Year Award: <https://www.ymca.org.uk/about/awards/young-worker-of-the-year-2019#1553519934050-c21096cf-22974ca7-7347> To find out more about Young Campaigner of the Year Award: <https://www.ymca.org.uk/about/awards/young-campaigner-of-the-year-2019#1553519934929-884973d6-81088f7a-5c236dda-c62e>