2013 Youth Work Award Winners

The third annual Christian Youth Work Awards were presented at London School of Theology, on Friday 15th November 2013. The awards recognise excellence in church-based and other Christian youth work, and are judged by a panel of youth work practitioners, lecturers and young people, from a pool of public nominations.

The awards were presented across five categories. Bradford-based Adie Hinsley was named Youth Worker of the Year for her pioneering work with E:merge Bradford. Carol Stewart, from All Saints church in Ilkley, Yorkshire was named Volunteer of the Year, having served young people in her area since the 1970s.

Plymouth church St Jude’s was named the Best Youth Work Employer after impressing the judges with their commitment to supporting their youth team. The Most Innovative Youth Work award was presented to Sheffield’s Golddigger Trust, who work with vulnerable young women at risk of sexual abuse. Finally, a public online vote saw the Youth Alpha course named the Best Youth Work Resource.

Having been named Youth Worker of the Year, Adie Hinsley said: ‘I got a phone call saying I’d been nominated but I didn’t believe them. All I can think about is the young people I work with. I work with so many teenagers who struggle and have a hard time, so this [award] is for them. Sometimes it’s lonely being a youth worker – you have some dark days and lonely times. But seeing the bigger picture [at the ceremony] and seeing all that’s going on is amazing.’

In a twist on the previous format, the event involved the significant contributions of three young people. The awards were presented by two Luton-based teenagers, Shay Dolan and Jonathan Addai, while the closing address was given by 18-year-old Lorna Sterry, who spoke of the significant impact that Christian youth workers had made on her teenage years. She left the audience of youth workers with the challenge to be strong and courageous and to  keep investing in young people.

Youth Worker of the Year

Sponsored by: Moorlands College
Prize: ipad

This award is for a youth worker who's excelled at building positive relationships with young people, helping them to see their

Volunteer of the Year

Sponsored by: London School of Theology
Prize: 4* hotel break

This award is for a volunteer who's shown exceptional commitment to Christian youth work, freely offering their time and energy

Best Youth Work Employer

Sponsored by: CPAS Ventures & Falcons
Prize: Team building day at 'Go Ape'

This award is for an employer who gives outstanding support to their youth workers. They invest in them, providing practical and

Most Innovative Youth Work

Sponsored by: CYM
Prize: £300 to spend on the project

This award is for a project or piece of work that's bursting with faith and creativity.

Best Youth Work Resource

Sponsored by: Premier Youthwork
Prize: Full page advert in Premier Youthwork

This award is for a resource that's a proved itself to be a genuine asset to Christian youth work

Young Leader of the Year

Sponsored by: The Methodist Church
Prize: ipad mini

This award will be given to a young Christian who is rooted in their local church and having significant influence on other youn

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    Sponsor - Premier Youthwork

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    Sponsor - LST

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    Sponsor - CYM

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    Sponsor - CPAS Ventures

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    Sponsor - Moorlands College

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    Sponsor - The Methodist Church