Nominations are Now Open for the Pride of Somerset Youth Awards 2024

Nominations are Now Open for the Pride of Somerset Youth Awards 2024

The Pride of Somerset Youth Awards (POSYA) honours remarkable achievements of young individuals throughout the county who have made their families, friends, or community proud over the last twelve months.

Founded by the Rotary Club of Taunton, and now in their 17th year, the awards celebrate the often unsung heroes among our Somerset young people. They are dedicated to recognising inspirational efforts, accomplishments, unwavering determination and selfless actions.  

2024 looks to be the biggest year yet for the awards, with several fantastic sponsors from advocates of Somerset, including This is Gravity, Somerset County Gazette, and Bridgwater & Taunton College.

Claire Pearce from Gravity said, “Gravity is immensely proud be the main sponsor of these awards as well as the ‘Environmental’ award. We welcome the opportunity to recognise and promote the inspirational young people across Somerset who go above and beyond for their communities. We are also delighted to introduce our key partners at Bounce Forward and Bridgwater United Community Sports Trust as sponsors of the ‘Championing Positive Mental Health’ and ‘Community Hero’ awards, respectively. The Gravity work on environmental and social governance is a team effort to contribute positively to the locality and help prepare and inspire young people about the future ahead.”

Andy Berry, Principal and CEO of Bridgwater & Taunton College said “We are delighted to sponsor these awards. Young people from across the County go above and beyond, often in the face of adversity, achieving amazing things. This is an opportunity to reflect on and recognise their achievements. I am looking forward to hearing their amazing stories and celebrating their accomplishments.”

The award categories range from Charity / Volunteer Hero and the Young Person of the Year Award to the Sandy Padgett and Sporting Achievement Awards. Each aim to spotlight any young person in the county who has demonstrated outstanding generosity, courage, talent, and dedication.

All nominations come from Somerset’s public, with the winners selected by a panel of judges comprised of local business leaders, public figures, and dedicated champions of various Somerset communities.

Among the past recipients are notable figures such as England cricketer Jos Buttler, British gymnast Laura Gallagher, and Jamie Edwards, a hopeful for the Paris Paralympics in wheelchair athletics.

An award ceremony will take place on Thursday 16 May 2024, 6.30pm-9pm at The McMillan Theatre, Bridgwater. This will be a truly special evening filled with pride, joy, and above all, the brilliant stories our award winners.

Do you know of a young individual who deserves recognition? You can nominate them today via our online portal here. All nominees must be under the age of 21. The last date to submit nominations is Friday 8 March 2024.

You can get the latest updates on the awards by following Pride of Somerset Youth Awards 2024 on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

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