Nominations are now open for the fourth annual Youth Work Awards.
Organised by Youthscape, the awards are designed to celebrate 'the hard work, creativity and dedication of youth workers across the nation'.
This year's event will mark the first time that the 'Unsung Hero of the year' prize is up for grabs.
This new award "will seek to recognise those in 'behind-the-scenes' roles who make a huge impact in the lives of young people, but might not always get the credit".
Coordinator Ruth Bennett explains that there are people working in the background in churches all over the UK who seldom get recognised. "They're often the first to arrive and the last to leave. Or perhaps they've been quietly praying, catering or driving a minibus for years," she says.
"They never want recognition for their invaluable work, but we believe they deserve some."
Other awards include Youth Worker of the Year, Most Innovative Youth Work and Best Youth Work Resource, which was last year won by the Youth Alpha course.
The team behind the awards are keen for the public to nominate those they believe worthy of celebration, and the winners will receive top prizes such as iPads and youth resources. The idea is also to inspire and encourage others to get involved with youth work in their own localities.
To nominate someone you know for an award, click here.
The London School of Theology will host an awards ceremony on 21 November. The awards will be judged by a panel comprising of young people, lecturers and practitioners.
Catch the event on live-stream at www.youthworkawards.co.uk.
