Stockport wins British Citizen Youth Award 2025

A Stockport youth group has been recognised nationally for transforming how young people’s voices influence decision-making across communities.

The L!STEN Youth Alliance was presented with the Dame Mary Perkins British Citizen Group Award 2025 at the Roll of Honour ceremony at the Palace of Westminster.

The group was celebrated for its outstanding contribution to improving the wellbeing and lives of young people across Stockport.

Formed in collaboration between educational social enterprise PIEUK, and Stockport Council, L!STEN was commissioned in early 2023 by young people who were frustrated about not being listened to and wanted to make a change.

Around 20 young people aged 13-18 from Stockport, including individuals with additional needs, work to reflect the views of thousands of young people annually. This means that information is appropriately fed back to members of the council which helps to inform future planning.

Other success includes:

• The Stockport Youth Summit, which brings together 250 students, councillors and local leaders to engage and discuss real issues.
• Annual Wellbeing Festivals designed by young people, for young people.
• Quarterly youth surveys, each gathering over 1,000 responses.
• Contribution to the One Stockport One Future Borough Plan, which ensures youths main concerns are fixed in long-term strategies.

‘Drive to carry on delivering’

Munji Sandher, School Delivery Co-Ordinator at PIEUK, said:  “For Stockport Council, they realised that there was a need for youth voice in the decisions that they make. Now that L!STEN’s been formed, the council is keen to involve them in everything.
“We always want the kids to lead the sessions. If we have specific visitors who come, for example Council leaders or local organisations, we tend to just be in the background, supervising. They talk to the kids, then the kids give them their real, honest feedback. There’s no filter involved.
“The fact that people seek us out to get the groups opinion shows that their views are valued. I think that the amount of people that come to the events we run and the positive feedback we receive is really just due to the work of the young people planning.
“We’re currently in the process of securing funding to continue this. We know that this model works, so it is something we want to bring to other areas whilst still developing what we are doing with this core group.
“Applying for that award on a whim, and just going for it because they’re great, has given us that recognition that we needed to have the drive to carry on delivering what we do.”

A ‘jaw-dropping’ moment

One member shared: “I feel great about winning the award because it means that the efforts we made were noticed. Hopefully this means that more groups like ours will be funded which will further amplify the voices of young people.”

Another said: “The news was jaw dropping. All our efforts, ups and downs, were showing positive results. To be recognised and awarded was something out of the blue for me personally. I feel motivated to do more, to achieve more. I love helping people, and I will continue helping people.”

Beyond the award, L!STEN has created a real connection and belonging for all of its members.

One youth said: “Listen is like a key. It unlocked a lot of opportunities for me big and small. I meet new people behind each door, and the doors are left open for me to revisit any time. I have never been so glad to have signed up for this and be a part of something bigger.”

Another member stated: “Being part of L!STEN means a lot to me as I have learnt a lot from my experiences with a group of my new found friends. Despite being from different demographics and holding different life experiences, we come together really well and make outstanding differences to our community. L!STEN is more than just a community contribution. We are a family.”