The Youth Matters Awards are an annual awards ceremony hosted by YMCA England & Wales, recognising YMCA achievements nationally. This year, our YMCA (YMCA Brunel Group) has been shortlisted for 3 awards!
Now, it’s all down to public voting, which means we need your help to win! Voting is live from the 10th – 24th of August. Here are the categories we are up for:
- Young Achiever of the Year – Jack Clemit, YMCA Brunel Group
- Housing Project of the Year – Thrive 16+, YMCA Brunel Group
- Support & Advice Project of the Year – Daystop, YMCA Brunel Group
To vote, follow this link: Youth Matters 2026 | YMCA England & Wales
Here is more information on each of our categories nominees, who we are so so proud of!
Jack Clemit participating in a half-marathon
Young Achiever of the Year – Jack Clemit
At 18, Jack’s life changed dramatically when they became a full-time wheelchair user. Facing housing challenges, they moved into YMCA Brunel Group’s Christopher House, where they began to show remarkable determination.
Jack soon began their marathon training journey, training on local roads in Yeovil alongside strength work and swimming.
8 months later, Jack broke a Guinness World Record by becoming the fastest person to complete a half-marathon in a non-racing chair, beating the previous record by 16 minutes. They went on to take part in the London Marathon, raising £1,520 for WheelPower, and have competed across the country, including in Oxford, Exeter, Bristol and Coventry.
Alongside these achievements, Jack continues to manage health concerns, attend appointments and travel long distances for specialist treatment. They are also volunteering at Yeovil Hospital, learning sign language, and studying for a physics degree.
Since arriving at Christopher House, Jack has shown exceptional resilience, dedication and positivity while overcoming significant obstacles.
Arthur’s House (Thrive 16+) at Glastonbury Pride
Housing Project of the Year – Thrive 16+
Thrive 16+ is YMCA Brunel Group’s commissioned supported housing service for vulnerable young people aged 16 to 25 across South and East Somerset. Each night, it provides accommodation and support to 95 young people, many of whom are care leavers or have experienced adversity, trauma and instability.
What makes Thrive 16+ distinctive is its focus on helping young people feel at home, with over 70% of young people saying they feel at home.
Every young person arriving with us receives a warm welcome. Upon entering their new room for the first time, they will find a Welcome Pack of carefully curated essentials including bedding, towels, toiletries and more that they can call their own.
Young people usually stay for around nine months in accommodation ranging from family-style houses to small foyer-style hostels.
During this time, support workers help them build personalised plans, access education, employment and training, gain tenancy accreditation and develop essential life skills.
In the last 12 months, 11 young people have taken up education opportunities and another 11 have moved into employment.
As young people’s needs have become more complex, especially around mental health and emotional wellbeing, Thrive 16+ staff have continued to go above and beyond. In the last 12 months, 79 young people have moved on positively into independent living.
Thrive 16+ does more than provide housing. It helps young people build confidence, resilience and hope, with many former residents staying in touch long after they leave.
Daystop support services
Support & Advice Project of the Year – Daystop
Daystop was launched in 2020 after we discovered that young people in Bath & North East Somerset had nowhere safe to go during the day when facing homelessness or housing insecurity.
Created alongside Nightstop, Daystop is a welcoming, youth-friendly drop-in service for 16 to 25-year-olds at the YMCA in central Bath, offering food, showers, laundry, computers and practical support.
The team helps with housing, benefits, employment, education and training, mental health, mediation, money worries and navigating complex systems.
Daystop’s impact has been recognised nationally, with Nightstop UK adding it to their national offer and the Bath team receiving the 2025 Outstanding Impact award.
Daystop offers immediate safety, removes barriers quickly and helps young people believe in what is possible.
