We’re thrilled that six YMCA DownsLink Group nominations have reached the finals of the YMCA Youth Matters Awards 2026, recognising the incredible impact of young people, staff, volunteers and projects across our organisation. Public voting is now open for our Youth Matters Awards finalists, and we’d love your support.  

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The Youth Matters Awards celebrate the achievements of young people, staff, volunteers and projects from across the YMCA movement. This year, YMCA DownsLink Group is proud to be represented in six finalist categories.  

Our public vote finalists 

Public voting is open for: 

• YMCA of the Year: YMCA DownsLink Group 
  This nomination recognises our work strengthening our impact and influence across Sussex and Surrey. Last year we reached 4,695 children and young people, provided 727 young people with a safe home, delivered counselling and emotional support to 3,214 children and young people, and provided specialist advice and support to 744 children, young people and families.
• Training & Education Project of the Year: WiSE Cyberpsychology Project
  This award recognises a YMCA that has delivered an innovative and inspiring Training & Education project that has had a tangible and positive impact on young people and/or the wider community. Online harm doesn’t always look like harm. Through a pioneering partnership between WiSE and cyberpsychiatry expert Dr Damon Parsons, this specialist training is helping professionals understand young people’s digital worlds, recognise hidden exploitation and build safer futures for children and young people.
  
  
• Young Volunteer of the Year: Maria Dimitrova
  Maria has been an outstanding YMCA DownsLink Group volunteer for the past 18 months, contributing her time, creativity and lived experience to support young people’s wellbeing. Through awareness campaigns, school projects and youth engagement activities, she has helped young people find their voice and improve mental health support in their communities. 

• Young Campaigner of the Year: Louisa Hyslop
  Louisa is a passionate advocate for children and young people’s mental health. Drawing on her own lived experience, she has campaigned for better support and inclusion through her work with YMCA DownsLink Group, the University of Sussex and the NHS, helping to influence positive change across education and health services. 

• Young Leader of the Year: Hannah Dent
  Hannah has demonstrated exceptional leadership through her work as a YMCA youth ambassador and volunteer researcher. She has helped shape mental health resources, co-hosted events for school students and empowered young people to make positive wellbeing changes in their schools and communities. 

• Young Worker of the Year: Rianna Jamieson
  Rianna has shown outstanding dedication to supporting young people through her work in YMCA supported housing. Her compassionate approach, strong safeguarding practice and commitment to helping residents overcome challenges have made a lasting difference to the lives of many young people. 

You can read more about all this year’s finalists on the YMCA England & Wales finalists page and learn more about their inspiring stories: Youth Matters 2026 | YMCA England & Wales.

Cast your vote 

Public voting is now open and every vote counts. Help us celebrate and recognise the achievements of our finalists by casting your vote today. 

Vote now via the YMCA Youth Matters Awards voting page.

Please also share the voting link with your friends, family and networks to help spread the word. 

Voting closes on Monday 24 August 2026.  

All finalists will attend the Youth Matters Awards ceremony in London on Friday 13 November 2026.  

Congratulations to all our finalists, and thank you to everyone who takes the time to support them. 

VOTE NOW