Youngsters honoured at SYP's Inspiring Youth Award ceremony

Young people across South Yorkshire have been presented with prestigious awards at the 2023 South Yorkshire Police Inspiring Youth Award ceremony.

A glitzy celebratory event was held at Sheffield's Niagara Sports and Social Club on Friday 8 September, with over 200 students joining headteachers and teaching staff to see several awards dished out to hard-working youngsters across the county.

Special prizes were awarded to a host of young people, with certificates handed out on the night by our Chief Constable Lauren Poultney, South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner Dr Alan Billings, the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of South Yorkshire Waheed Akthar and the High Sheriff of South Yorkshire Professor Jaydip Ray.

The unique award scheme, which is now in its 20th year, is run by a dedicated team of serving and retired police officers, as well as a band of selfless volunteers.

The project provides activities and opportunities encouraging the personal development of young people, with the scheme operating across a number of schools and community groups in South Yorkshire.

Among the prize winners were Year 6 students from High Hazell's School in Darnall, Sheffield, with Parkwood Academy pupil Bonitah Minani winning the top student award for Level 1. Parkwood Academy also won a shield for their achievements, with the prize presented to them by the Chief Constable on the night.

Sam Parton, who is a pupil at Oakwood School in Rotherham, won the same for Level 2 and on the night, he gave an inspiring speech to the audience about how participating in the scheme has changed his outlook on life.

Other prizes awarded on the night included a tour of the Houses of Parliament and lunch with Sheffield MP Gillian Furness, as well as a tour of Sheffield Town Hall and tea with the Lord Mayor of Sheffield Councillor Colin Ross.

Former Sheffield MP Lord David Blunkett also recorded a video message which was played on the night and praised everyone involved in delivering and supporting the highly acclaimed scheme.

The Inspiring Youth Award project, which has won numerous awards, is primarily aimed at young people in Year Nine and Year Ten at school.

It encourages their development at a young age and can be entered through participating schools, a recognised sponsor organisation or directly by individuals through the project team, with enrolment between September and the beginning of December each year.

If you require any further information about how young people can join the scheme, or if you are interested in volunteering with the project, contact Special Constable Bobby Dev by emailing Bobby.dev@southyorks.pnn.police.uk. Alternatively, you can find more information on the website here.

Deputy Lord Lieutenant Waheed Akthar presenting a certificate to Joshua Adegbola

The Inspiring Youth Award ceremony was held at Niagara Sports and Social Club

Chief Constable Lauren Poultney presented awards on the night