Broxtowe 'powerful voice' teen up for 4Uth award

Samaira Saleem, aged 16, of Mornington Crescent, Nuthall, has been nominated for a 4Uth youth award for inspiring other youngsters through her role at Broxtowe district youth forum, as well as a number of other roles.

Samaira was nominated by youth worker Pav Ayoub for the annual awards, organised by Nottinghamshire County Council.

The youngster first got involved with the county council’s youth service around a year ago, having initially been involved in a youth group in Nottingham city which finished.

She then proactively approached Pav at MyPlace @ Westfield Folkhouse in Mansfield to find out how she could get involved in youth activities and issues affecting young people.

Councillor Liz Plant, vice-chairman of the children and young people’s committee, at the county council, said: “Samaira is a fantastic representative for other young people and youth leaders praise her for her enthusiasm to get involved in projects and represent her peers.

“She is another worthy candidate for this year’s 4Uth awards and we congratulate her for her nomination.”

Youth leaders said Samaira was very quiet and shy individual when she first joined but has always been a very articulate young lady who wants to make a positive change for young people.

But as her confidence grew, she took on the responsibility of becoming a treasurer for the Broxtowe district youth forum meetings, developing skills such as communication and planning.

Last year, Broxtowe was looking for a deputy youth mayor and young people had a chance to apply for this role by writing a manifesto which young people would have a chance to vote on.

Samaira was inspired to get involved and developed her own manifesto and won her elections and is now the deputy youth mayor for Broxtowe.

Samaira is a student at Nottingham Girls Academy and she has already contributed to long terms plans for the groups she is involved in by recruiting new members and helping the groups to develop a long term vision to work towards.

Samaira is just one of the many young people who have already been nominated for the 2016 4Uth Awards which recognise the achievements of young people in the county.

Nominations open today until June 10, then district youth panels will shortlist three top nominees and select district winners who will then receive their awards at a special awards ceremony at County Hall on October 28.

During that evening, the overall countywide winner will be named.

Find out more about the awards at www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/4Uth.