The Youth Matters Awards 2025 were celebrated nationally as one of the most significant events in the YMCA calendar. Across England and Wales, remarkable young people, dedicated staff, passionate volunteers and transformative projects were honoured for the impact they are making in their communities. Throughout the evening, stories of the achievements of the YMCA movement were recognised on a national stage.
A Night of Celebration and National Recognition
Hosted by BBC TV and radio personality Richie Anderson, the ceremony brought together nearly 500 attendees, marking a record breaking year for nominations, 137 in total had been submitted by 30 YMCAs, demonstrating the scale of dedication being shown across the country.
YMCA Fairthorne Group’s Nomination: Honouring 21 Years of Service
This year, YMCA Fairthorne Group proudly nominated Trevor, whose 21 years of service have shaped the experiences of countless children from Armed Forces families.
The Red Triangle Award holds special significance; considered one of the movement’s highest distinctions, it is awarded to individuals who have demonstrated exceptional service and long-term commitment to YMCA values.
Unlike other categories, the Red Triangle Award is selected by a dedicated panel.
Trevor’s leadership has been defined by his ability to recognise emotional needs in young children and respond with thoughtful support has been acknowledged across the organisation.
Trevor (Royal Navy), Dragon & Benjamin
A Story That Captures Trevor’s Legacy
A powerful example of Trevor’s impact can be seen in the much loved story of BOJ and his Dragon. When BOJ’s father was deployed at sea, Trevor noticed the anxiety the separation caused and introduced a comforting idea. Using a spare Dragon toy, he created a routine where Dragon would ‘fly out’ to visit the ship each day before returning to nursery with tales of adventure.
Trevor built time into each morning to sit with BOJ, share photos, discuss Dragon’s journey and imagine the places his father might be visiting. This daily ritual became a lifeline for the child and his family.
As BOJ’s mother explained, “Dragon became a link between us. Talking about Dragon’s visits helped Benjamin cope with our separation. This was only possible because Trevor made time specifically for Benjamin, his one-on-one support was incredible.”
This thoughtful approach transformed emotional distress into meaningful connection, offering comfort during an extremely challenging period.
National Influence and Lasting Change
Trevor’s work has extended far beyond a single family. His approach is now informing practice nationally as the Armed Forces have begun adopting elements of his method when shaping the concept of Early Childhood Armed Forces Champions across the UK.
Through his creativity and consistency, Trevor has shaped a model of support that is now influencing early years practice at a national level.
YMCA Fairthorne Group Recognised Nationally
Among this year’s finalists was YMCA Fairthorne Group, which had been recognised for its ambitious and innovative Inclusive Classroom Profile (ICP) project. Although the award was not won, national recognition placed the project among the most impactful family and youth initiatives in England and Wales.
Across seven early years settings, the ICP framework was embedded to strengthen inclusive practice and support children with special educational needs (SEN). The project reached over 1,360 children and delivered more than 880,816 hours of high quality childcare and education.
Being selected as a finalist in the Family & Youth Work Project of the Year category reflected its sustainability and its meaningful outcomes for children and families.
Highlights From the Youth Matters Awards 2025
A selection of highlights from the Youth Matters Awards 2025.
This year’s finalists represented some of the most impactful youth initiatives in the country. The following projects and individuals were honoured for their outstanding contributions:
Each winner’s journey demonstrated resilience, creativity and a commitment to helping others. As applause filled the room repeatedly, a sense of shared pride united everyone present.
