City centre youth charity, OPEN Youth Trust (OPEN), has announced the 2020 Norfolk Youth Awards are open for nominations.

These awards are designed to highlight young people’s astonishing achievements and to give them the recognition and encouragement they deserve. OPEN have been working alongside young people for 15 years now and we know just how amazing they can be with the right support.

Laura Rycroft, General Manager for OPEN said: “We have always believed in giving young people an opportunity to develop and succeed in their passions, and life in general. This is an excellent chance to celebrate these outstanding achievements and recognise how incredibly hard young people across Norfolk work in a variety of areas, now we are calling for the local community of Norfolk to SHOUT OUT LOUD AND PROUD about their achievements.

This year OPEN hopes to raise the bar for the awards, with a larger number of nominees in each category and a wider contribution from people and organisations across the county.

Krushal Patel, Branch Manager for A-Plan Insurance, Norwich and sponsors of the Perseverance award said: “We are proud to be working with OPEN and to be part of this year’s Norfolk Youth Awards.  We feel it is important to support an organisation that does so much for shaping the lives of young people in our community.

The Perseverance Award stands out for us as many of the past nominees and winners have had to overcome so much for a young person. Whether it be life changing situations such as severe illnesses or bereavements, their stories and accomplishments are inspiring for others giving hope to many. It is for this reason we pledge our support in celebrating these brave individuals.”

Young people can be nominated in one or more of the following categories :

• Community – sponsored by East of England Co-Op
• Sport (Individual) – sponsored by Jarrold Intersport & NCFC Club Hub
• Team of the Year – sponsored by Regency Security Group
• Arts – sponsor to be announced
• Charity – sponsored by Price Bailey
• Entrepreneur – sponsored by MHA Larking Gowen
• Perseverance –  sponsored by A Plan (Norwich)
• Volunteer – sponsored by the Office of the Police & Crime Commissioner for Norfolk
• Education – sponsored by Hugh J Boswell

Members of the public, youth groups and anyone working with young people have until Thursday 30^th April 2020 to submit their nominations.

Nominations can either be submitted online or by picking up a nomination form from OPEN’s café or box office, nominees must be aged between 11-19 (or up to 25 years for those with additional needs) and living in Norfolk, with the exception of the Hero Award, sponsored by Norfolk Constabulary. Spire Solicitors are kindly sponsoring the Outstanding Achievement Award which will be announced during the ceremony on Wednesday 10^th June 2020.

The main sponsors for the awards are City College Norwich, Norfolk County Council (Children’s Services) and Richardsons Leisure Ltd together with media partners Eastern Daily Press and Norwich Evening News.