Charity fundraising, litter picks and mental health campaigns: The "phenomenal" young volunteers celebrating royal recognition

A youth-led movement that works with the Council to make Stockton-on-Tees a great place to grow up has received The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service.

Bright Minds, Big Futures (aka BMBF) landed the award - the highest accolade a local voluntary group can receive in the UK and equivalent to an MBE - for its work across the Borough.

Formed in 2017, the group of young volunteers is led by a "Big Committee" which mirrors the Council's own Cabinet set-up and delivers a "Big Plan".

And that's seen young volunteers grow food for local food banks, raise money for charities, and grill councillors, MPs, and police chiefs at "Youth Question Time" events.

"We're so excited to be receiving The Queen's Award," said Chair of BMBF, Katie Jenkins. "It's a huge privilege to receive such recognition, and I'm beyond proud of all of the members of BMBF for all of their hard work, especially throughout the pandemic."

The Queen's Award is the latest in a string of accolades for BMBF which includes a British Youth Council Award, High Sheriff Award and Mayor's Civic Award.

Councillor Bob Cook, Leader of Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, said: "To have secured this huge honour in such a short space of time is nothing short of phenomenal. But then we're lucky to have so many phenomenal young people in our Borough.

"And if there's one thing they've shown, it's that there's just no stopping them.

"When the pandemic struck and lockdown came in, they absolutely stepped up and were invaluable in helping us get public health messages out and they even launched their own mental health campaign to help other young people who were struggling.

"Since lockdown they've been clearing allotments, litter picking, raising money for the Mayor's Charity, securing and allocating grants for school councils and youth groups and working with primary schools to grow the next generation of 'BMBF-ers'!

"They really are a force to be reckoned with and they deserve all the plaudits they get."

Councillor Lisa Evans, the Council's Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, added: "I'd like to congratulate everyone involved in BMBF now and indeed everyone who has been involved from the start on what is a huge achievement.

"Councils talk a lot about the importance of listening to young people. Well, BMBF is not only about giving young people a voice, it's about listening to what they have to say and acting on it too.

"The BMBF volunteers are a fabulous and diverse group of young people with a very clear purpose, which is to influence and shape decision-making by working with and challenging the Council to make our Borough a great place to grow up.

"The best thing is, their whole way of working has been devised, developed and implemented by the young people themselves, all on a voluntary basis, and wish some help from us at the Council.

"Today's award is a credit to every single one of them but I've a feeling they're only just getting started and firmly believe there's lots more to come."

Bright Minds, Big Futures is one of 244 local charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the prestigious award this year.

The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service recognises outstanding work by local volunteer groups to benefit their communities.

Created in 2002 to celebrate The Queen's Golden Jubilee, recipients are announced each year on June 2, the anniversary of The Queen's Coronation.

BMBF representatives will receive their award crystal and certificate later this summer and two volunteers will attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace next year.

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