Youth project awarded the British Citizen Youth Group Award
The Ability Project, run by our Youth team, has been awarded The Dame Mary Perkins British Citizen Youth Group Award (BCyA). This award recognises groups of young people who have significantly impacted their communities.
The BCyA is viewed as the nation’s way of recognising extraordinary, everyday young people for exceptional endeavour. There was no application process, the project was handpicked for this award. This award again highlights the incredible work our Youth team does across Wythenshawe.
The Dame Mary Perkins British Citizen Youth Group Award will be presented by the Specsavers' founder herself at the annual BCyA presentation at the Palace of Westminster, where representatives from the group will be presented with the Medal and Certificate of Honour in a display case, and the charity will receive a donation of £1,000 to help them continue their good work.
The Ability Project provides a safe and welcoming space for young people aged 11-25 with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). It offers a place for them to socialise, share their experiences, and engage in fun and inclusive activities. Participants are empowered to plan their own events and activities, ensuring their voices are heard and valued.
In response to the lack of SEND activities during the 2023 summer holidays, the group organised a day trip to Chester Zoo, open to all Wythenshawe residents with SEND children or young people. With match funding from Wythenshawe Community Housing Group, 35 families, comprising over 90 people, enjoyed a fully funded trip, including transport, food, and entrance tickets.
“We really hope that this will encourage other youth groups to come forward to demonstrate what amazing and heart-warming levels of citizenship exist within our society,” stated Dame Mary.
Since its inception in 2017, over 800 young people have benefitted from the Ability Project. Our Youth team also runs other initiatives, including the Friday Night Youth Club and detached youth work across Wythenshawe.
We're passionate in providing local young people with opportunities to learn, grow, and enjoy themselves in a safe, healthy environment. In 2023/24, with partners, we delivered 343 youth sessions across Wythenshawe, with 857 young people attending. Over 250 hours of information and guidance sessions were provided, alongside 120 detached youth work sessions in Wythenshawe neighbourhoods, engaging 374 young people. Since 2022, over £500,000 has been invested in youth and play services across Wythenshawe through a variety of funders, including ourselves.
Back in 2016, The British Citizen Award launched The British Citizen Youth Award (BCyA) after receiving high numbers of nominations for young people under 18 who were making a difference in their communities and to society. Since then, each year approx. 25 young individuals from all over the UK are selected to receive the BCyA Medal of Honour and the opportunity to use the post-nominals BCyA as a legacy of their achievements. These exceptional young people are presented with their Medal and Certificate of Honour at a prestigious annual event at the Palace of Westminster.
For the third year, the BCyA, in association with Specsavers, has launched The Dame Mary Perkins British Citizen Youth Award, is open to groups of young people (under the age of 18). Dame Mary has been a Patron of the BCyA since its inception.
