Sixth Form Homelessness Campaign Group

These 17 year olds from St Wilfrid's Catholic School in Crawley took part in a 'sleep out' in their town centre organised by the parish. Sharing dinner with the homeless people sleeping in the same area as them that night, they got talking. The connection and experience moved them and they decided to take their experience further.

Of their own volition they presented their ideas to the Head Teacher who gave his support to their proposed campaign. They used assemblies to raise awareness and went into classes to make cross-curricular links to many subjects. They got their message out by using notice boards and social media. Alongside their awareness raising they also started to fundraise for local charity Crawley Open House. They ran events within the school from cake sales to a sleep out on the last day of term before the Christmas Break. Everyone in the school community got involved in their campaign!

The Christmas liturgy was very emotional as the students linked with the realities of homeless people to the flight of the Holy Family. After the liturgy the students processed to a sleep out. The morning liturgies ended with the students speaking about the experience and why they were raising money and awareness.

What they said: “I believe their success is down to … the faith and prayers of the students “ - Claire Franke, Chaplain

Tom Caluori

Tom has been involved in the Catholic youth service since being a member of the YCW when he was a teenager. Since then he has been everything including a YCW adult companion (to two groups!), a chaplain in a college, a catechist and a champion for the entire Croydon Deanery Youth Project.

Tom has devoted huge time and energy into running events for young Catholics for as long as many can remember. Tom encourages young people and other youth leaders to deepen their understanding of the Catholic faith and inspires them to engage in social action in their community.

Come rain or shine, Tom spends every Thursday in St. Mary’s as well as helping out at events and outings. Tom uses the YCW's ‘See, Judge, Act’ methodology to address really sensitive contemporary issues such as relationships and drugs to help young people understand what the Church and the Bible teach. He gives his insight as well as listening to young people’s.

Ever on the look out for cash, Tom helps others with their fundraising ideas, finding different funds to make activities happen. And he reaches out to others: he gets other young people involved from different groups so young people can meet one another and build friendships. He also brings other adults to meetings so they can understand how youth work happens and to help them be welcomed as fellow adult companions. 

What they said: “A natural leader and a passionate, dedicated and inspiring youth worker, Tom deserves to be recognised for his service to the Church” – Ryan Earle, a young person from West Croydon

“Tom is an excellent and inspiring youth leader” - Kimberley Pereira, fellow youth leader 

Tom Morris and Emily Tierney

Tom, 21, and Emily, 24, have worked with disadvantaged young people in Coventry for several years. Volunteering their time, they ensure those they meet have a positive experience of community and Church. Many of the young people Tom and Emily work with are on the fringes of society, having suffered great challenges in their lives. Some of the young people have lost a parent, or have a parent in jail or on drugs. Some deal with bullying on a regular basis. Some are homeless or have faced abuse.

Tom and Emily have given their time to ensure the young people have good memories and know they are loved. They have raised money to buy them Christmas presents and to give them a Christmas break away in a castle and have helped young people to have a summer holiday.

But it’s Tom and Emily’s personal touch which is so important. They have spent time getting to know them, to show them they care. They have played games, cooked, and been there if they cannot sleep. They have shared their faith in a courageous way.

Tom and Emily have also worked in a shanty town in Brazil, supporting children and working to create a beautiful garden dedicated to Our Lady in the middle of the community, giving hope and a place of peace to those who seek refuge. Tom and Emily visited the poor in the shanty town, bringing food, sharing something of himself and getting to know those from a different culture and background.

What they said: “Tom is a young person who never stops giving and whose answer is always YES” – Maria Bracken, Andrew Robinson Young Peoples Trust

“Emily is a shining example of promoting solidarity and peace” - Christopher Pell, Emily’s colleague

Year 12 General Religious Studies Group, St Anselm’s College

These 17 and 18 year olds became increasingly concerned about the negative portrayal of asylum seekers in the UK after meeting a small group of asylum seekers in a school assembly. Moved by their stories, the group wanted to do something to help.

Taking the call of Pope Francis to ‘welcome the stranger at our door’ to heart, the group organised a festive meal at Christmas for 60 asylum seekers to share with members of the 6th Form. To make their guests feel at home they researched celebratory food from the Middle East and Africa (where most of the asylum seekers are from).

The group rallied the local community. Fellow students brough in gifts of staples such as toiletries, rice, spices and pulses so each guest took away a goody bag. Parents helped decorate the school hall. The school’s catering company were pursuaded to cook all the food free of the charge. And the local bus company donated a coach to pick up and drop off the guests!

Since then, some 6th Form students have volunteered with Asylum Link Liverpool to help asylum seekers learn English,  and others helped a successful asylum seeker find the funds for an interpreting course. Each idea seems to lead to another. After discussing the boredom many asylum seekers face, one of the group researched how much tickets to a local FA Cup game a few weeks away might be. Suddenly thirty cut price tickets were arranged for the game!

To ensure subsequent generations take up their mantle, the group developed a day based on asylum for every student in Year 7, 8 and 9.

What they said: “This has become a whole school effort, but what has happened has been driven by the boys” - Louise Baines, Teacher

Anna Marshall

Anna, 13, decided that the 'Toilet Twinning' initiative was a project that she would support. Over the past year Anna has worked tirelessly to raise awareness of water and sanitation in the developing world in her parish, in her youth group and in her home town.

She began in a small way in the parish, placing a donated toilet in the Church porch asking everyone to throw in spare coins. Other members of the youth group soon became involved and money was raised to provide two villages in the developing world with toilet facilities. Last Christmas the toilet was taken to the local pub and members of the youth group, family and parishioners led a carol singing evening to raise funds.

But Anna’s interest isn’t only about raising money. Anna invited the local MP to visit and gave a presentation on the project and Anna was asked to speak about the project to an invited audience at a coffee morning organised by the leader of the Council. A member of the council will attend a youth group meeting to discuss the possibility of Chesterfield becoming a toilet twinning town.

Anna take the lead in all the activities she undertakes but also works enthusiastically with her youth group members and friends. The young people have formed a close knit group who, with guidance of two youth workers, are appreciated and supported by fellow parishioners.  

What they said: “Anna has the potential to be an outstanding and inspirational young leader of the future” – Anne Peacey, Justice and Peace Network

Reena Joseph

18 and from St Wilfrid's Catholic School, Crawley, Reena is an amazing young person who quite simply makes her community a better place.

Reena arrived at St Wilfrid’s in 2011 from India. With no English, Reena worked hard to grasp the language and access the curriculum. But it was a difficult time. Her academic progress dipped and she felt a growing sense of isolation as she struggled to make friends. Persevering, she finally got great GCSEs.

But Reena turned this experience around. At school she has started a programme for students who don’t speak fluent English to improve their skills, using her own negative experience to create a positive experience for others.

Showing more commitment towards helping those in need, Reena volunteers in St Catherine’s hospice and has raised both awareness and funds for the hospice in school.

Reena prepares the weekly Masses, taking a lead in the ministries of music and reading, and often preparing the bidding prayers herself. She also talks to students about why Mass is so important and encourages them to come along. The popularity of our voluntary Masses (100+) is down to Reena.

The creator and leader of many teams, Reena’s humility means she might not admit it herself and is quite happy for others to take the credit!

What they said: “Reena is an inspirational example how it live out Catholic social teaching” – Claire Franke, School Chaplain

Flavia Sofia Bernardo Matos

Flavia, 19, studies at St Francis Xavier Sixth Form College in Clapham. After noticing the adverse impact Stop & Search had on community relations, Flavia instigated a campaign to raise awareness of young people’s Stop & Search rights.

At the same time, Flavia also began volunteering as a receptionist at her local Portuguese Speakers’ Community Centre. In this role, which she does each and every Monday, Flavia supports those struggling socially and financially by translating correspondence, making appointments and mediating with the authorities on behalf of the clients.

Flavia has spent time getting to know many elderly and vulnerable members of the community. As last Christmas approached, Flavia was concerned that many of them would spend the holiday alone. She decided to organise a Christmas Eve dinner and, making hand-made cards for every guest, she arranged for centre staff to help out and supply the food.

Taking up issues further from Clapham, Flavia got involved in the brilliant For The Love Of campaign on climate. Joining fellow students, she lobbied her MP in Parliament on the topic. In February Flavia took part in a national Model UN conference where she presented a resolution calling for a humane response to the migrant crisis.

Flavia has been a steadfast member of the college Chaplaincy Team, contributing to liturgies, fundraising drives, and fostering her college community. Flavia is a natural leader and – informed by her Catholic faith – understands the significance of collaboration to achieve goals and build better communities.

What they said: “Flavia is driven by a desire to improve the situation of others” - Claire Colleran, College Chaplain

St James’ Climate Bloggers

Aged between 14 and 15, the Climate Bloggers at St James’ Catholic High School in North London have spent the year raising awareness and campaigning about the environment. But blogging was just the start.

The group started by briefing staff so they understood why the environment was so crucial for the school to focus on. Standing up in front of their peers, they lead assemblies and supported lower year retreats, sharing ideas and praying for change.

Working directly with younger students, the group set up and run the Year 7 gardening club. They help the students to plan and plant and with the summer here are excited to be reaping the rewards.

Faith has been important for the group. They’ve planned liturgies and got students to really understand Laudato Si’, Pope Francis’ recent encyclical on care for our common home.

What they said: “They are exceptional students who thirst for change” - Jenny Whelan, School Chaplain

Sam Abraham

Now in Year 12, Sam’s spent a year communicating to others about climate change as a CAFOD Climate Blogger at All Saints Catholic High School, Sheffield. Sam’s spoken up for Creation using her digital platform, challenging politicians to do more for the climate. She’s engaged with the great and the good face to face too, including veteran MPs Eric Pickles and Ed Milliband.

And closer to home, Sam’s invited the school's local MP, Louise Haigh, to face the students so that she could be interviewed on climate change. Sam isn’t afraid to speak truth to power. “If I stand up for justice, it’s like I’m staning with them while they work hard to change things – I want to be part of that,” she says.

Sam’s care for Creation is local too. She ran a 2 week community project focused on her naighbourhood to clear all the graffiti up – to the delight of local residents. Anyone who knows Sam also knows that she’s also got a fantastic sense of humour, and a strong faith. And she’s not afriafd to share both of them with those she meets.

This month Sam heads to World Youth Day and will speak about her work at an event organised by the Global Catholic Climate Movement, inspiring others across the world.

What they said: “Sam is not afraid to let herself be heard and speak out for those less fortunate than us” - Bernadette Healy - Chaplaincy Coordinator

Owen Bond

Owen, a student in Year 11, leads Thornleigh College’s ECO Group that aims to improve the school’s environment. Over two weekends, the green-fingered students gave the flower beds makeovers and planted new displays. To fund it all, they raised money by making and selling birdseed cakes.

But Owen didn’t stop there. He’s also developed whole-school awareness by delivering assemblies aimed at improving awareness of the problems of litter around the site from inside a bin, combining humour with education.

Most recently, Owen’s been the figurehead for the introduction of recycling in the canteen. Working with the local authority Refuse Department and the school, Owen delivered assemblies and led other younger students to deliver the assemblies too.

Owen, a well-known figure around school, took his creativity for Creation a step further for World Book Day, creating -with a little help from his friends - a magical world in the school library, filled with characters form Alice in Wonderland and set in a woodland, complete with wildlife and flowers.

What they said: “A role model for the younger students” - Maria Pawlowski, Teacher.

RHUL Interfaith Group

Nina and Asma, 22, have been outstanding in their promotion of peace and understanding between students of different faiths and none. Nina has been President of the Catholic Society and Asma is the Islamic Prayer Room Warden, and together they has promoted and modelled Inter-faith dialogue and understanding.

Over the last year, they promoted a brilliant Swap-Societies project for inter-faith week. This involved all the Faith Societies so that, for instance, students from the Islamic Society came to Mass and to a number of Catholic Society meetings and vice-versa. The traditional University Carol Service included a reading from a Muslim poet.

One of the highlights was when two Islamic students joined the pilgrimage to Rome for the Year of Mercy. Nina and Asma have promoted interfaith study sessions on Pilgrimage and celebrations and their work was so outstanding that the secular Students Union invited Nina to join their Community Council.

What they said: “Their work has been a completely new development” – John Dickson SDB, Catholic Chaplain

Emma Atherton

Emma, 23, has had a longstanding commitment to peacemaking since her school days. Most recently, Emma has created and found funding to set up the Women Together project in Liverpool for refugee women mainly from war-torn areas. It creates a unique safe, social space which also helps them access information and support.

Studying Peace Studies at Bradford University, Emma initiated a Festival of Ideas on issues of peace, social justice and change. Her choice of study and the voluntary work she does shows a  remarkable passion and determination to live out strong values. Emma is an Executive Committee member of Pax Christi UK.

What they said: “In an age where it is easy to give up, Emma has stayed with it” – Pat Gaffney, Pax Christi General Secretary 

Newman Catholic College London Citizens

These students, aged from 14-16, set up the largest CitySafe Zone in London with 64 local businesses signed up as Safe Havens. CitySafe is a community-led campaign to make our streets safer for everyone. The campaign is about young people building relationships with the police and local businesses to open CitySafe Havens.

CitySafe Havens are places of safety for people in immediate danger or feeling threatened. The students worked in partnership with their schools police liaison officer to make it happen. Acting on their own initiative, the group approached businesses and pusuaded them to sign up to be Safe Havens. Back at school, the students also conducted assemblies to promote awareness of CitySafe.

The students also ran a listening campaign on the theme of housing due to the issues being faced by many students and their families in our school. Their findings were taken forward to the Brent Borough and North London Citizens assembly.

What they said: “All of the students are out standing members of our school community” – Susan Grace, Headteacher

Martins Banjo

As a Politics and Religious Studies student at St Francis Xavier Sixth Form College, Martins, 19, has always shown interest in the Common Good, however in summer 2015 this interest developed into action.

Martins devised a campaign to address a problem close to his heart. Having witnessed first-hand the social disadvantages caused by low awareness, Martins came up with the idea of the 'Life-skills Curriculum' which aims to prepare teenagers for the practical challenges of adult life.

The curriculum - which Martin hopes will be taught in secondary schools - will cover topics such as finance, taxes, employment, and voter registration. As part of his curriculum plan, he also hopes to engage the support of companies, to offer internships and apprenticeships to school leavers.

Martins feels strongly that knowledge and opportunities are vital to prevent the poorest members of society from being exploited and excluded. Martins visited the Houses of Parliament to discuss his idea with his MP Neil Coyle and Coyle has offered a written endorsement of Martins campaign. Martins next move is to write an Early Day Motion and then to put forward a petition which would need 100 MPs signatures.

The motivation for Martins campaign comes from awareness of people's dignity and his passion for justice. Martins is a considerate and kind student, with the drive and determination to make life better for others.

What they said: “Though ambitious, Martins is a humble leader and team player not self-serving but desirous to serve.” – Clare Colleran, College Chaplain

Alice Stella

Alice, 20, mentors students at Saint Francis Xavier College, South London, where she also supports teaching staff.

Over the last year Alice has volunteered as a language and business studies assistant, running workshops, helping to create resources, even on one emergency occasion covering an Italian class! All Alice’s teachers speak highly of her assistance - often provided in her free time - and also of the support and reassurance she gives weaker students.

Her workis made all the more notable as she also holds down two part-time jobs to supplement the household income. Many of her teachers have remarked on how giving Alice is towards her peers and at the same time sensitive towards retaining their individual dignity.

As well as her work supporting the development of students, Alice has been active locally supporting Calais refugees. Alice not only encouraged her tutor group to raise funds, she also independently instigated a successful appeal for clothing and toiletries.

What they said: “Alice has a desire to live out her Catholic faith, which she believes asks and inspires her to value and care for others” – Claire Colleran, College Chaplain

Corey Scott

Despite great physical restrictions, Corey, 23 from Lancashire, has worked tirelessly over many years to improve the living standards of those who live with disabilities, including access to education and work, through his lobbying for better laws in the new Children and Families Act. Corey brings his first-hand experience of the pressures and difficulties which young disabled people encounter to his work.

Corey gained a reputation for being one of the more outspoken students in his college, with his refreshing no nonsense, straight talking approach to tackling the challenges which disabled people face day in, day out. He has staunchly represented the interests of the disabled community, taking the fight to Parliament to improve the chances of young disabled people.

It’s hard to overstate the amount of volunteering Corey does, from keynote speeches before vast audiences to fundraiser days and going on an annual pilgrimage with HCPT.

What they said: “Corey does not let this condition get in the way of his selfless activities” – Mathew Quinn, Blackburn College

“A truly inspirational young man” – David Huxley, University Centre Blackburn College

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

Matthew Martin

During the winter, Matthew, a student at Holy Cross College in Bury, has quite a different Saturday night to most young people.

For the last two years, between November and April, Matthew spends his Saturday nights (from 7pm til 1am) volunteering on the Winter Watch. That’s a programme run by local Christian organisation Urban Outreach that helps the homeless in Bolton, Greater Manchester.

Each week Matthew helps to prepare and then serve food to the homeless guests. The numbers attending the outreach can be large: between 50 and 70. And ages range from 16 to 90.

Matthew spends time speaking with the guests who use the homeless shelter. He enjoys listening to their stories and sees the guests as friends. He also enjoys playing board games with them. He is respected by his peers for his charity work, many of whom could not imagine giving up a Saturday night, every Saturday for six months to volunteer likle him. 

What they said: “Matthew gives his time freely and willingly to help those less fortunate than himself. When he talks of what he does, he does so humbly and with humility” - Sarah Burgess, fellow student