On Saturday 28th June 2008 the Devon Children’s Trust will be holding the second annual Young People's Achievement Awards at County Hall in Exeter.

The Devon Children’s Trust is a partnership between social care, education, health, community, voluntary and justice services working together to make a difference for Devon’s children and young people.

This fantastic event will celebrate the achievements of young people aged 13-19 from across the county, and recognise their hard work and dedication in making themselves and their communities better.

We want you to tell us about young people who have worked hard to improve their lives, develop their skills and challenge expectations, and young people who given their time and energy to make a difference in their school or community and inspire others.

This year we have introduced 2 new categories! Young people can now be nominated in one of 7 categories.

Healthy Lives

Improving their own health or working to improve health services and information for others.

Staying Safe

Keeping themselves safe or working to improve the safety of their school or community.

Education

Raising their own level of achievement and enjoyment or trying to improve education for others.

Participation

Getting involved in their community and working to develop a positive image of young people and encouraging others to do the same.

Positive Future

Taking responsibility for their own development and future employment or working to help others gain valuable skills and experiences.

Community *new award!*

Working to make a difference in their local community and raising awareness of the positive contribution young people can make to society.

*This award is designed particularly to challenge negative perceptions of some young people which appear in national and local media, and recognise those young people who may not have many opportunities to get the recognition they deserve. This could include for example young people who are not in education, employment or training or from traveller or immigrant families.

Groups

There is also a group category where you can nominate a group of young people who have worked together to make a difference in any of the award category areas.

The closing date for nominations is Tuesday 20 May 2008 at 1pm.

Five finalists will be selected in each category and invited to come to County Hall for the exciting awards ceremony where they will all receive a certificate and we will announce the overall winner for each category.

The prize for the overall winner in each category will be a cash sum to put towards an item or experience which will help them to continue to develop and achieve.

To nominate a young person or group fill in this online form or call 01392 383698 and we will send you a nomination form.

Photography by John Morton.