Helen Olorunsuyi

When Helen, 12, arrived in Year 7 at St Angela’s Ursuline School in East London, she immediately had to look out for her older sister, Michelle, who is on the autistic spectrum. Many of the students already knew Michelle, so they were then interested to find out about her sister. As the sisters look physically different, many questioned their relationship and how Helen was looking after her older sister. This interest put a lot of strain on Helen, just at the time when she was just finding her feet, as a new Year 7 student. She finds the questioning really hard, especially the often negative judgements regarding Michelle’s autism. But Helen ensures that Michelle knows she is loved and will always challenge her to be of her best. Helen has been able to support her older sister both at home and at school, helping Michelle when she has difficulties with other students, counselling her and generally making Michelle much happier at school through her constant encouragement, her willingness to listen and her ability to reason situations through. Helen has taught the adults in the school as she has given us an amazing insight of how to work with Michelle in different ways, how to engage Michelle and how to make Michelle feel even more secure.

What they said:  “Helen mirrors Christ’s behaviour every day, which is a remarkable achievement for one so young” - Mark Johnson, Headteacher.

Angeline Umba

Angeline, 18, started a project to raise awareness of female genital mutilation (FGM) at Holy Cross College. FGM is an issue unknown to many teenagers, and yet there are up to 60,000 young girls under the age of 15 at risk of undergoing this harmful procedure. Her intention was to enable students to separate myth from fact.

Angeline organised a creative writing and drawing competition for a poetry book about FGM, to be presented at a conference in London. By allowing students to use their creativity Angeline hoped it would give them the opportunity to use their talents for the thousands of young girls suffering from FGM and ultimately create a piece of work which shows support for the women who have undergone the procedure.

To prepare students Angeline led a discussion about the affects of FGM not only the young women and girls in Africa but in Britain as well. Angeline’s event raised awareness of FGM so that others would be encouraged get involved. It was so inspirational that the college’s pastoral manager has arranged cross-college training on FGM for all pastoral tutors - Angeline’s project will have a legacy.

Angeline is a proactive student and needed very little support from staff, other than the logistics of rooming and advertising her competition. Her seminar was so inspiring that the R.E. department invited Angeline into R.E. lessons to present to her peers and the college’s pastoral manager has arranged cross-college training on FGM for all pastoral tutors.

What they said: “Angeline’s work has been so inspiring” – Ellen Tench, RE teacher

Nicola Mattocks

19 years old, over the past 2 years Nicola has given thousands of hours of her time to challenging mental health stigma. Nicola started a peer support group at her local church in South London which now supports many teenagers struggling with mental illness.  

Nicola supports others experiencing mental illness because she didn't get the help she needed when she was ill. She works hard to ensure no one goes through the terrible ordeal that she did. And she truly inspires her local community, bringing marginalised teenagers to supportive places so that they can reach their potential.

With the support of the church behind her, Nicola organises, plans and delivers every session herself. Those aorund her note that she has incredible strength to help, inspire and lead others.

What they said: “She gives her life to inspire others with her story and I hope that can be recognised through this award” – Nicole Smith, friend