Surrey Youth Voice Awards celebrates the young people making a difference in their communities

On Saturday 6 December, Surrey County Council celebrated the achievements of young people and youth-led groups across the county at the 2025 Surrey Youth Voice Awards. 

Held at the Nova Cinema in Woking, the event brought together nominees, families, and local leaders to recognise the inspirational achievements of Surrey young people. The awards recognise a range of positive contributions, such as advocating for youth, promoting inclusion, or achieving educational or employment success. Categories also celebrate young people who have supported or championed wellbeing, their local community, and the environment. 

One nominee, Joe, was put forward for the Championing Climate Action and Greener Futures Award after he successfully applied for the Surrey Young Mayors Youth Project Fund. Joe and his team used the funding to create Joe’s Eco Garden project, which involved educating students about growing vegetables and supporting pollinators, making bird feeders, cultivating caterpillars into butterflies, and creating a calming space to support exam students’ wellbeing. The project has been hugely successful, impacting more than one thousand students at his school. 

The Surrey Youth Voice Awards were co-designed and co-presented by Surrey young people, with support from Daniel Lee-Grabowski, a Communications, Participation & Training Officer at Surrey County Council. More than 14 years ago, as a care-experienced young person himself, Dan helped to create one of the early awards for care-experienced young people in the county. He returned to the stage this year to support today’s generation in celebrating children and young people, what they can achieve, and to inspire them to believe in themselves. 

Broadcaster and barrister  Judge Rinder, who is currently starring in the pantomime at New Victoria Theatre in Woking, also surprised attendees with a message of support for youth voice during the event. 

All nominees are celebrated in line with the Surrey’s Time for Kids framework. The principle of “Believe” is central to this framework, underlining the Council’s commitment to have faith in young people, listen to their voices, and recognise their contributions. The ceremony also provided an opportunity for young people to connect, celebrate each other’s achievements, and inspire their peers to get involved in creating positive change. 

Chelsea was nominated for the Youth Voice and Participation Champion Award, for her work with Surrey Youth Voice participation groups and contribution to making change to services in Surrey. When asked about how it felt to be nominated, she said: 

“The awards helped me feel more confident in myself and my abilities to help support young people all over Surrey.” 

Jonathan Hulley, Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Lifelong Learning, said:“The Surrey Youth Voice Awards celebrate what young people are capable of. I’m honoured to be here to show my support for young people from across the county, and to celebrate their voices and achievements. 

“Surrey’s young people inspire us every day, and these awards are a fantastic way to ensure that every nominee is recognised and valued for the difference they make to themselves and others.” 

For more information about Surrey Youth Voice, visit: What’s happening in Surrey Youth Voice. 

Notes to editors 

• The Surrey Youth Voice Awards 2025 celebrate young people across Surrey who go the extra mile: helping others, speaking up for peers, or making positive changes in their communities.  

• The Award Categories are: Youth Voice and Participation Champion Award, Championing Climate Action and Greener Futures Award, The Wellbeing Award, Education Achievement Award, Employment Achievement Award, Inclusivity Award, and Young Unsung Hero Award. 

• Surrey Youth Voice (SYV) is run in partnership with young people in Surrey and the User Voice and Participation Team, part of Surrey County Council.  It empowers young people to influence decisions, shape services, and represent the views of their peers. Through events, campaigns, and participation groups, SYV ensures that young people are listened to by local authorities, partner organisations, and decision-makers. Further information can be found at: Surrey Youth Voice – Surrey County Council.