Methodist Youth President wins British Youth Council Award

Sam Taylor has won the British Youth Council Make a DifferenceAward for making a real difference through his role as the Church'sYouth President.

The Award is designed to recognise the sustained effort,creativity, leadership and teamwork of young people under the ageof 25 in the running of an organisation or project. This may bethrough a charity board, youth forum, executive or committee.

Sam, aged 19, lives in Wellingborough in Northamptonshire. He said"I'm amazed to have won this award. It's been a massive privilegeto serve in this role. It's made even better by the children andyoung people that I've worked with, they have such passion andenthusiasm; that's what makes the difference."

Rosina St James, Vice Chair of Participation & Development atThe British Youth Council said: "We are delighted to announce thata panel of young people chose Sam Taylor, Youth President of TheMethodist Church, as a Make a Difference Award winner. Our Youth onBoard Awards celebrate organisations and projects that supportyouth participation in innovative and exciting ways, and mark thefantastic achievements that can happen because young people aresupported to get involved. The awards are special because all ofthe selection and judging is done by young people, and we hope thatflagging up these projects will encourage others to follow in theirexample."

"We are all absolutely delighted that Sam has won this award,"said Jude Levermore, the Church's Children and Youth MinistriesCoordinator. "It really reflects just how outstanding he has beenat representing the views of children and young people into thegovernance structures of the Methodist Church and how loudly andarticulately he is speaking out on issues of faith andjustice."