THE Young Active Citizens award aims to celebrate younger volunteers.

This year’s finalists are Kody Wilman, Ayran Rowe and the Young in Covid project.

Kody helps to run youth sessions in Queensbury for young people between 11 and 19 twice a week, organising sessions addressing important issues like mental health, sexuality and bullying.

Over the holiday periods when he is not at college, he helps to run holiday play schemes and multi-sports sessions for children age eight and over, and has also delivered food parcels and activity packs to families in need.

Kody also works on art projects which he sells to raise money for charities, with this year’s sale of hand-painted Christmas cards going to a local Alzheimer's group.

“Kody always puts others before himself, he enjoys seeing people happy and will do anything to make it possible”, said a person who nominated him.

“During Covid, Kody identified an area of Queensbury where its residents are elderly and had spent the entire lockdown isolated, and once it was safe to do so, knocked on each door asking if they would like a planter to be made for the small outside space of their homes.

“With a group of peers in the youth club, they made planters for over 44 residents, took them to the homes and then filled each one with soil and plants, offering some much-needed beauty and hope after such a difficult year.”

Ayran currently volunteers with Mencap as a well-being support mentor, offering one-to-one support.

“He supports neurodiverse young people with learning disabilities through the Supported Internships & Study Programme, which is designed to support the young adults with a learning disability or difficulty getting into paid employment”, said a person who nominated him.

He has also recently been appointed as a trustee for Action Point, which provides support services to children, young people, the elderly and those with disabilities from Keighley and the surrounding areas.

“Despite having many challenges, Ayran has gone on to support others and offer his support. He is a very caring and bubbly individual who is very passionate about empowering change. He is a proud Bradfordian who encourages young people to get involved within different programmes”, it was added.

Young in Covid are a group of people aged 13 to 19, who give up their time to raise awareness of issues impacting young people amid coronavirus.

“They aim to act as role models for younger generations by speaking about difficult issues such as mental health, the impact of losing opportunities, inequality and coping techniques”, said a person who nominated them.

“They do this via the medium of film and lobbying those in power to improve services for young people.”

The group also released a documentary film highlighting their work, and continue to give talks at schools and community centres.

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