Nominations for the Warrington Youth Awards 2027 close at midnight on 30 November. Ten categories, open to anyone in the borough; the ceremony is 26 January.

Nominations are open for the 2027 Warrington Youth Awards, and Warrington Youth Zone wants them from right across the borough, not just from its own members. The form closes at midnight on Monday 30 November, and the winners will be named at a ceremony at the Youth Zone on Dallam Lane on Tuesday 26 January 2027.

There are ten categories. Eight are for young people aged 19 or under, or 25 or under if they have additional needs; two are for adults aged 18 and over. Families, schools, charities, sports clubs, youth groups, businesses and members of the public can all put someone forward, and the person nominated does not need to be a Youth Zone member.

The ten categories

The charity’s nominations page describes each award. For young people:

  • Young Creative Artist of the Year: art, music, drama, dance or other creative work, whether the nominee is “developing their skills, discovering their confidence or dedicating themselves to their chosen art form”.
  • Young Sportsperson of the Year: sport or dance. “Nominees don’t need to be elite athletes: effort, perseverance, improvement, participation and a determination to do their best are all worthy of recognition.”
  • Nick Hopkinson Award, Young Entrepreneur of the Year: business ideas, employability skills or enterprise projects. It is named in memory of Nick “Hoppy” Hopkinson, a former chair, fundraiser and mentor of the Youth Zone.
  • Young Digital Innovator of the Year: creative and positive use of technology, digital media or AI.
  • Young Fundraiser of the Year: raising money or collecting donations for a charity, community group or good cause.
  • Rea Muir Award, Inspirational Young Person of the Year: resilience, positivity and overcoming personal barriers while lifting others. It remembers Rea Muir, a former member of Warrington Youth Club.
  • Young Volunteer of the Year: giving time to help others through volunteering or social action.
  • Young Warringtonian of the Year: pride in Warrington and making a difference to the local community.

For adults:

  • Candice Roberts Award, Adult Volunteer of the Year: adults who volunteer with young people at a club, charity, school or community group. It is named in memory of Candice Roberts, a former Warrington Youth Club volunteer.
  • Lifetime Achievement Award: an adult whose “extraordinary, career-long contribution” has shaped young people, youth services or the community in Warrington.

Each nomination should explain why the person deserves recognition in the category chosen.

A boy in a suit with his hand on his chest and a young woman in a black and gold dress holding cue cards on stage, in front of a screen showing the OnSide Youth Zone logo
Two young presenters on stage at the Warrington Youth Awards. Photo: supplied by Warrington Youth Zone

Not just for the stars

The Youth Zone is clear that the awards are not only for exceptional talent. In its words, they are a chance “to shine a light on achievements, dedication and positive contributions that might otherwise go unnoticed”: a young person who has worked to improve at a sport or an art, found the confidence to try something new or overcome personal challenges, or a volunteer whose years of service have made a lasting difference.

Jamie Patterson, Head of Fundraising at Warrington Youth Zone, said:

“Warrington is full of incredible people with stories worth celebrating. These awards are not simply about recognising the most talented or successful individuals. We want to celebrate determination, personal growth, resilience and kindness, as well as the young people who dedicate themselves to making life better for others.

“Sometimes, the people who deserve recognition most are those who would never put themselves forward. They might be quietly supporting a friend, working hard to develop a new skill, volunteering their time, or overcoming challenges that others may not even see.

“You don’t need to be connected to Warrington Youth Zone to nominate someone. We want these awards to represent the whole of Warrington and celebrate the people who make our borough a better place to live.”

The 2026 ceremony brought together more than 250 guests, the charity says, including people from the local business community and civic dignitaries.

What it means for you

If you know a young person, or an adult who works with young people, who deserves recognition, you have until midnight on 30 November. Pick the category that fits from the Youth Zone’s nominations page, then fill in the online nomination form. Questions go to fundraising@wyz.org.uk.

The release does not say whether the January ceremony is open to the public or how guests get a place; the same address is the one to ask.

Earlier this week the Youth Zone restocked its first aid kits with a donation from Crest Medical.

Source: Warrington Youth Zone press release, 23 October 2026, and the charity’s nominations page, checked 23 October 2026.