Lord Mayor of Belfast Cllr Nichola Mallon recently launched the council’s annual search for the city’s outstanding teens and young people.

Each year, Belfast City Council’s Youth Awards - or Youth Oscars, as they’ve come to be known - shine a spotlight on the positive work young people are involved with in communities right across the city, and recognises them for their valuable work.

The awards, now in their seventh year, are organised in partnership with the Belfast Policing and Community Safety Partnership, Belfast Youth Forum, Thomas Devlin Trust, Youth Justice Agency, Belfast Education and Library Board, and PSNI.

Cllr Mallon said: “Teenagers and young people can often feel misunderstood and as a result they feel isolated from society. During my year as Lord Mayor I want to reach out to all the unsung heroes in our city and celebrate the best of Belfast; and that includes the young people whose very valuable work is having such a positive influence on their peers and communities across the city.”

The awards are open to any young person from Belfast, under 21. There are nine awards categories including Community Safety, Creativity & Arts and Youth Work.

Awards of £500 will be granted to the organisation that the young person has worked with, allowing the group to continue and develop its good work. The Lord Mayor will also be presenting a special ‘Best of Belfast’ Award to the group or person who has demonstrated an outstanding contribution to their community and the city.

Nominations must be received by 3 October. For details on how to nominate and full details on awards categories, visit www.belfastcity.gov.uk/youthawards

The awards ceremony will be held on Friday 7 November in City Hall and will include dinner, entertainment and the presentation of a specially designed award to the winning individuals.
The event will feature performances from X Factor’s Janet Devlin and Innova Irish Dance Company who appeared on Britain’s Got Talent.

Pictured - Belfast Lord Mayor Nichola Mallon with Cllr Colin Keenan, chair of the Belfast PCSP, and last year’s Outstanding Achievement Award winner Brendan Irvine launch the city’s 2014 Youth Awards.
To nominate visit: www.belfastcity.gov.uk/youthawards