Celebrating This Term’s Jack Petchey Award Winners
At the Shpresa Programme, we are committed to youth empowerment, community engagement, and cultural enrichment. Our programme provides young people with opportunities to develop leadership skills, embrace their heritage, and make a positive impact in their communities. One way we celebrate these achievements is through the Jack Petchey Achievement Awards.
Each year, the Shpresa Programme proudly recognises 24 exceptional young people with a Jack Petchey Achievement Award. This term (September – November 2025), we are delighted to celebrate eight outstanding young individuals who have each received this prestigious award in recognition of their dedication, leadership, and positive contribution to the community.
These inspiring young people embody the values of the Shpresa Programme: “All together we can make a difference.” They also carry forward the legacy of our visionary leader and founder, Luljeta Nuzi, whose unwavering “can-do” attitude continues to motivate us all to dream big and achieve more.
Throughout the year, our members have demonstrated resilience, compassion, and a strong sense of identity, supporting one another and giving back through volunteering, cultural celebration, and leadership.
These young leaders are selected by their peers for a variety of exceptional contributions. The table below highlights some of the reasons they were chosen and the wider impact of their achievements:
| Young Person | Reason for Nomination/Contributions | Wider Impact |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Demonstrates leadership, volunteers actively, helps others, and serves as a voice for the community | Motivates peers to engage in activities and strengthens overall participation and group cohesion, leading by example |
| 2 | Actively contributes ideas, supports group activities, and shows perseverance despite challenges | Serves as a role model for resilience and personal growth, inspiring others to overcome obstacles |
| 3 | Compassionate, empathetic, and highly involved in youth centre activities | Promotes teamwork and inclusion, positively influencing peers and fostering a supportive environment |
| 4 | Provides leadership among peers, engages in campaigns like Educate Not Hate, and models positive behaviour | Encourages youth participation and self-expression, building stronger group cohesion and community engagement |
| 5 | Enthusiastic, bright, supportive of peers, and committed to learning | Creates a joyful and collaborative atmosphere that enhances learning and peer support |
| 6 | Natural performer and leader, actively involved in cultural events, proud of heritage | Inspires peers to celebrate Albanian culture and strengthens community identity |
| 7 | Outstanding volunteer, vibrant, and uplifting to peers | Encourages collaboration and fosters engagement in cultural and group activities |
| 8 | Honesty, bravery and willingness to use his lived experience to empower others; this has made a lasting impact and has set a positive example, becoming a mental health champion | Speaks openly about mental health and has become a champion, encouraging others to talk about their struggles and seek help |
Our young people have invested their awards in a variety of meaningful ways, each enriching both their personal development and the wider community.
- Educational trip to Bath: Enhanced learning, personal growth, and overall wellbeing.
- “Come and Dine With Me” sessions: Brought young people together to share food, culture, and friendship, strengthening connections within the community.
- Materials and refreshments for the group and at events: Improved resources for all participants, supporting future learning and creative projects.
Together, these initiatives demonstrate that the Jack Petchey Awards not only celebrate individual achievement, but also enrich the wider community, foster collaboration, and inspire young people to make a lasting positive impact.
Case Study: From Shyness to Strength – A Journey of Resilience and Leadership
When this young person first joined our group a year ago, they arrived quiet, reserved, and carrying a range of personal challenges. Confidence was low, trusting others felt difficult, and mental health struggles often made everyday situations overwhelming. Despite these obstacles, they showed a deep desire to grow and to connect, even if taking the first steps felt daunting.
Over time, with consistency, empathy, and patience from staff and peers, this young person gradually built trust within the group. Small moments of courage sharing thoughts, joining activities, and opening up about personal experiences, eventually led to significant breakthroughs. What began as hesitant participation grew into meaningful engagement.
During the year, this young person experienced remarkable personal transformation. They developed resilience, confidence, and emotional maturity, learning to face challenges with strength and self-awareness. Most notably, they began to speak openly about their own mental health journey, using it as a way to reduce stigma and encourage others who might be going through similar struggles.
Their honesty and willingness to support others soon positioned them as a mental health champion within the group. They actively motivated peers to seek help when needed, to talk openly, and to understand that they were not alone. Their empathy, caring nature, and ability to listen made them a trusted and respected figure among their peers.
This young person’s peers recognised their growth and positive influence, nominating them for an achievement award. Their resilience, newfound confidence, and ability to uplift others stood out as qualities that truly made a difference in the group dynamic. Humble and grounded, they accepted their achievements with gratitude and pride, staying true to the person they have become.
This case study highlights the profound impact that a supportive environment, patience, and encouragement can have on a young person’s wellbeing and how personal challenges can transform into strengths that inspire an entire community.
Case Study: Celebrating Positivity and Leadership at Forest Gate Youth Centre
At Forest Gate Youth Centre, we are proud to highlight the journey of a young person whose enthusiasm, kindness, and commitment have made a lasting impact on our community.
From the moment this young person joined the centre, they approached every activity with energy, curiosity, and a consistently positive attitude. Whether trying something new or working within a group, they showed a genuine passion for learning and developing new skills. Over time, their confidence grew, and they naturally stepped into leadership roles encouraging peers, setting a supportive example, and helping create an atmosphere where everyone feels welcome.
What truly stands out is this young person’s compassion and empathy. They consistently show kindness towards others, taking the time to listen, share knowledge, and offer help whenever it is needed. Their presence has helped foster a warm, inclusive environment that reflects the true values of the youth centre.
Their friendly nature, teamwork, and willingness to support others have earned them great respect among peers. They are known for uplifting those around them and helping to build a strong sense of community at the centre.
In recognition of their positivity, empathy, and contribution to the group, this young person was chosen by their peers to receive the Jack Petchey Achievement Award. This well-deserved honour celebrates not only their personal growth but also the kindness and dedication they demonstrate every day.
Their journey is a powerful reminder of how a single individual’s encouragement, enthusiasm, and compassion can inspire an entire group. We are proud to celebrate their achievements and look forward to seeing how they continue to grow and lead.
