DAY’s Young People – Durham Area Youth

DAY's Young People

As a young person informed organisation we are keen to recognise the fantastic work of our young people and acknowledge their achievements both within sessions and their wider community.

We do this in a number of ways by providing end of term treats that the young people choose such as a pizza night, a visit from the gaming van or a trip to the cinema or bowling. We want to recognise the whole group as much as well can as well as individuals. We provide volunteering and community outreach experiences that young people can embrace and use for the future development.

2026 Celebration Event

Young people who attend Durham Area Youth sessions across County Durham hosted their own celebration event that recognised their achievements, resilience, and positive contributions to their communities on Monday 6 July at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Durham.

The special celebration brought together more than 130 young people, families, volunteers, supporters, partners, funders, sponsors, and community leaders to celebrate the remarkable achievements of local young people while raising vital funds to support youth services across County Durham.

Hosted by young person Jack McQuillan, the evening featured live performances from talented young performers Erin Goodwill and Isla Clark, alongside a series of awards recognising volunteering, creativity, teamwork, resilience, kindness, and outstanding achievement.

And the Winners are:

Fiona Mitchelson Young Volunteer of the Year Award: Tyler Hancock Creativity Award: Neve Chicken

Teamwork Award: Oscar Close Overcoming Challenges Award: Erin Goodwill

Molly Patterson Helping Others Award: Alexis Mitchell Special Recognition Award: Jack McQuillan

2025 Talent Show Night

We believe all of our young people have amazing talent and should be given the opportunity to showcase this. This is why every year we organise DAY’s Got Talent.

In 2025 we saw the most amazing evening filled with singing, dancing and musical instruments. Check out some of the photos of our fab performers. (add talent show photos)

2024 Awards Night

In the past we have worked with our young people to create Durham Area Youth's Celebrating Young People's Awards Evening which ran in 2023 and 2024.Both years it was a great success with over 200 attendees and including 9 different awards won by our young people.

Watch the video below that summaries the fantastic evening and shares our event with you.