Due to my involvement in writing a monthly column for Youth Work Now, I was delighted to be asked to be one of the judges for this year’s Positive Images Awards.

The Children & Young People Now Positive Images Awards recognise the important role the media plays in forming public opinion about young people.
The Awards, which have been running since 2005, aim to encourage the media to take the lead by looking for positive story angles when reporting on young people and youth issues, and to encourage youth groups and local authorities to be proactive in publicising positive images of young people.

The awards are open to all young people and youth groups, as well as journalists, producers and presenters in the UK media. The deadline for all submissions has recently been extended to Tuesday 4th May, so why not enter your own positive examples? You could win national recognition for work that portrays young people in a positive light.

There are two main categories for entries: Awards For Young People which include ‘best interactive media by young people’, ‘best broadcast created by young people’ and ‘best achievement by a young person in promoting positive media portrayal’, plus Awards For Media which include ‘best local media coverage of young people’, ‘best national media coverage of young people’ and ‘best radio coverage’.

The awards will be judged in May, with the winners announced mid-July.

For information about last year’s winners and to download an entry form, click here. Entries should be sent by post to: Positive Images Awards, Children & Young People Now, 174 Hammersmith Road, London, W6 7JP. Please contact beth.cassidy@haymarket.com with any queries.