Staff and Young People celebrate double awards success

The staff at Middlesbrough based charitable trust, Actes, are celebrating their involvement in two Big Lottery Fund youth projects which received accolades at the South Tees VCS Awards.

Talent Match Middlesbrough, a project led by the Prince’s Trust with a number of delivery partners, including The Junction, Middlesbrough Voluntary Development Agency, and Actes, received the ‘Working Together Award’ and ‘Effective Campaign Award’ recognising the work of the Talent Match Middlesbrough Partnership and the effective contribution made by the Talent Match Young People’s  Panel -which consists of young people aged between 18 and 24.  

Between January and December 2015, the Young People’s Panel members have contributed over 900 hours of their time to campaign and bring about change for 18-24 year olds not in education, employment or training.

Sharon Stuttard, Chair of the Board of Trustees at Actes said,

 “We are immensely proud of our staff and the young people we work with and it’s very rewarding to have their efforts and commitment recognised. Working as a partnership gives us the opportunity to provide a fully supportive service to young people helping them to increase their future prospects”.

Know Your Money (KYM), a Big Lottery funded project which is led by Erimus Housing Ltd (part of the Thirteen Group) in partnership with Actes won the ‘Stronger Communities Award’ and the ‘Lasting Legacy Award’ for enhancing community learning and helping to create a more sustainable future for young people. The project improves the financial confidence of young people aged 18 to 24 and since starting in May 2013 has helped 2288 young people have an extra £2,074,243 in their pockets by helping them with benefits advice, money management skills and into employment. The current project team has six money advisers, a Benefits and Tribunal Specialist, a Youth Health Advocate and employability service all available to make a real difference to the lives of young people and the wider communities in which they live.

Young People from KYM Middlesbrough accepting the Lasting Legacy Award at the South Tees VCS Awards.

Nathan James – KYM Team Leader said:

“To be part of a project which is young person led, creative and innovative, from which young people are able to upskill themselves is a real honour, it’s great to see the efforts recognised of all involved over the years.”  

The KYM team also won ‘Best Youth Project’ at the Regional Youth Focus North East POSBO awards in December. If you or someone you know would like to get in touch with the KYM team call 01642 240336 or visit kymproject.com.