Believe and Achieve – well done to our young people

Tributes have been paid to the hard work and successes of children and young people in care and care leavers.

A glittering ceremony and celebration dinner was held at the Village Hotel in this year’s Believe and Achieve Awards.

The nomination categories covered a wide range of achievements including:

• Progress in Education, Employment and Training
• Personal Achievement
• Achievement in Sport, Physical Activity
• Excellence in Arts, Drama and Music
• Community Action and Volunteering
• The Outstanding Achievements of a Care Leaver

This year a new award was added – the Carrick Signs Award for Special Recognition - to celebrate those children and young people who achieved significant success or achievement.

Some 105 nominations were received from the young people’s social workers, schools, carers, parents, families, and support staff. All those nominated received a certificate to celebrate their achievements.

The evening was co-hosted by a young person and by Jeanette Richards, Bury Council’s executive director of children and families.

The opening address was given by Councillor Lucy Smith, cabinet member for children and families. Also present were Cllr Eamonn O’Brien, leader of the council, and Cllr Shaheena Haroon, the Mayor of Bury.

Cllr Smith said: “The Believe and Achieve Awards gives us an opportunity to celebrate and highlight the hard work and achievements of our children and young people in care and care leavers. As corporate parents we are extremely proud of them; they are a credit to themselves and the whole community of Bury. Many of these children have faced challenges and hardships in their lives and they still manage to excel and shine.”

The awards ceremony was followed by an evening of entertainment, magic and dancing hosted by Magic Mark Daniels and a photo booth for everyone to take away a memento of the evening.

The event took place during Bury Corporate Parenting Week which highlights the importance of the corporate parenting responsibilities that Bury Council and NHS staff have.

The event was made possible by the support and sponsorship of AFG Law, Carrick Signs, Shield Hub, Inspire Community Services, and Bury Council. Carrick Signs provided the awards and gift cards to the value of £10 per person to all nominees as their own personal congratulations.