Youth groups scoop prizes at think-tank Oscars

Four charities battling to reverse educational failure are among the seven winners of awards totalling £70,000 presented by the Centre for Social Justice, the think-tank set up by former Conservative Party leader Iain Duncan Smith.

Family Links, Frontiers, IntoUniversity and MAPS were honoured for their pioneering work in reversing educational failure, mentoring and building positive relationships.

At an awards ceremony hosted by GMTV presenter Emma Crosby on Wednesday, seven small grassroot poverty-fighting charities dealing with entrenched social problems such as drug addiction, youth unemployment and family breakdown were singled out for recognition.

The awards ceremony, attended by leading politicians from all parties, anti-poverty campaigners, celebrities and prominent media figures, was hosted by investment bank J P Morgan.

Ms Crosby was joined by CSJ founder the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Iain Duncan Smith, Pensions Minister Steve Webb, Jemima Khan, Poverty Tsar Frank Field and TV broadcaster and presenter Dan Snow who presented awards.

The CSJ awards ceremony raises awareness of the work of some of Britain’s many exceptional charities, faith-based organisations and good causes who wage a war on social breakdown and poverty.

This year’s award attracted nearly 500 nominations from across the country, with 17 projects shortlisted by a panel of independent judges.

The seven winners, announced on the night were: Caring for Ex-Offenders, Family Links, Frontiers, IntoUniversity, MAPS, The Ley Community and The Whitechapel Mission.

Mr Duncan Smith also presented a Lifetime Achievement Award to Noreen Noreen Oliver MBE of BAC O’Connor.

The event was attended by over 300 guests, who were entertained by Adetomiwa Edun, who performed Daniel Beaty’s Knock Knock and Leaps & Bounds, who performed three real-life monologues on the impact of fatherlessness.

Mr Duncan Smith said, “These awards are away for the CSJ to recognise the outstanding work of some of the country’s voluntary and faith-based organisations, who have pioneered solutions to the problems associated with deep rooted poverty, worklessness, addiction, educational failure and family break-up.

“There is one thing that all of these organisations have in common; they bring hope to some of our country’s most damaged and disadvantaged individuals.

"They work with people, many of whom have been failed by traditional state services. They work hard with little, or no money, recognition, or support.

"They are showing that we can mend broken Britain. I want to congratulate all of our winners and finalists.”