GYG Committee wins No 2H8 Crime Award

Jackie Coupar left, GYG Members Kofi, Liam and Emily. Caroline and Dil far right.

WE WON!

Last night GYG won at No2H8 Crime Awards in the category of The Sylvia Lancaster Upstander Award.

Three of our brilliant youth committee members attended the award ceremony in London with Jackie, Caroline and Dil from our team.

But the work that went into winning the award spans more than 6 years, with previous youth members working with Kent Police, local charities and spearheading campaigns to tackle hate of all kinds.

Baroness Beeban Kidron, Founder of 5Rights Foundation, who has worked alongside GYG over the past four years said; "I am so delighted that GYG have been nominated for an award. Over several years they have taught me a great deal about empathy and the power of a collective vision. I find my involvement with them inspirational, and their contribution to the work of 5Rights Foundation, invaluable.”

Since 2017 GYG has worked continuously on campaigns that tackle hate and bullying and promote respect. This year we worked with every secondary school in the borough to change the way hate crime and bullying is reported, with each school signing up to the system.

We created a powerful film and campaign materials for schools and to be shown online with the message 'No Space For Hate' and the youth committee have held two anti-hate crime festivals locally which have attracted thousands of young people to come together to celebrate diversity.

This award is for every young person who has been part of our campaign against hate since we started all those years ago - you are making a difference.

And a thank you to every school in Gravesham, to Kent Police, BeYou Project, Cohesion Plus, Gravesham Borough Council, Kent County Council and so many other organisations who have worked with us over the years to help make this possible.

Our work in tackling hate won't stop here.

Picture: Jackie Coupar Youth Work Manager (left), GYG member Kofi (thrid from left), GYG member Liam ( fourth from left), GYG member Ellie (fifth from left), Dil Nota Emotional Health Lead (second from right), Caroline McNally-Johnson (far right).