Grimsby young worker shortlisted for national award

YMCA Humber is asking local people to vote for one of its inspiring young staff members ahead of a prestigious national youth awards ceremony hosted this autumn by business woman, Sky presenter and BBC's The Apprentice winner, Michelle Dewberry.

The local youth charity, which has operated in the Humber Region for the past 135 years has nominated YMCA worker, Nicola Batts as Young Worker of the Year in Youth Matters Awards 2017.

Youth Matters is YMCA’s national awards programme that has been an integral part of the charity’s calendar since 2009.

Nicola is up against four other young workers from across the country within her award category. Other award categories are YMCA of the Year, Young Achiever of the Year, Young Volunteer of the Year and Young Leader of the Year.

Nicola has been entered for the award because of the skills and confidence she has developed in becoming a valued member of the charity’s youth and community services team.

Voting starts online at midnight on Monday 14 August and runs until midnight on Friday 25 August. Votes cast by the public will be combined with judges’ choices and the three finalists will be announced on 29 August. All the finalists will attend the ceremony at the exclusive venue 8 Northumberland Avenue, in central London, where the winner will be announced.

Nicola said: “I am really excited to be nominated for such a significant award and to have reached this stage of the process.

“My life has changed so much since getting involved with YMCA and I hope everyone will support me and vote. To make it through to the final judging panel would be incredible.”

Linda Clark, YMCA Humber’s Community Development Manager said:

“Over the past 18 months, Nicola has become an indispensable member of its Community Services team.

“She uses her strengths as a natural organiser to support her colleagues and take ownership of the projects she has been involved with; she puts her passions into the role and is pro-active to make things happen

“Nicola’s journey as youth worker has seen her overcome anxieties delivering large group sessions, showing she is always willing to take on the challenge.

“She has pushed herself out of her comfort zone to take on new responsibilities such as delivering workshops in local schools.

“She has developed positive trusted relationships with the staff team and young people alike becoming a hugely valued member of the Community Services team at YMCA Humber.

“She now leads on a number of weekly youth work sessions, as well as working with volunteers and new youth apprentices.”

Youth Matters celebrates the outstanding skills and achievements of young people from across the country. It also recognises the vital work that YMCAs deliver every day to help transform the lives of young people and give them a brighter future.

The Young Worker of the Year Award recognises a young worker (aged under 30-years-old) for their outstanding commitment to building a brighter future for young people and for going the extra mile to make a real difference to their lives.

Vote for YMCA of the Year at www.ymca.org.uk/awards. Follow YMCA Humber on Twitter and join the conversation using #YMA17.

For more information on Youth Matters, visit www.ymca.org.uk/awards. For more information on YMCA Humber, visit www.ymca-humber.com