Halton Youth Cabinet wins Environmental Award at BBC Radio Merseyside Make a Difference Awards

Young people from Halton Youth Cabinet have been recognised for their work to improve their local community, winning the Environmental Award at the BBC Radio Merseyside Make a Difference Awards. 

Halton Youth Cabinet received the award for their Binimals project, a creative campaign developed by young people to tackle litter and encourage people to take greater pride in their local environment. 

Halton Youth Cabinet brings together young people aged 11 to 18 to campaign for change, represent their peers and make sure young people’s voices are heard. 

Through Binimals, members of the Youth Cabinet took an everyday issue affecting their community and came up with a creative way to address it, redesigning litter bins with colourful animal-inspired designs to make them more noticeable and encourage people to dispose of their rubbish responsibly. 

The project earned the group a place as a finalist in the Environmental category of the BBC Radio Merseyside Make a Difference Awards, before they were announced as the category winners at the ceremony at Boxpark Liverpool. 

Fin Venables, MYP and member of Halton Youth Cabinet, said: 

“To be recognised for our work is so amazing and we hope it inspires the next generation of young people.” 

Fellow Halton Youth Cabinet member Ben Worsell, who also attended the awards, said: 

“To me, it isn't just moving that we won, but more so that there were so many different, worthy people who tried to also make a beneficial difference. To know that faith in humanity need not always be such an abstract concept.” 

The Make a Difference Awards recognise people and groups who go above and beyond to help others and make a positive difference in their communities, with winners announced across eight categories. 

Halton Youth Cabinet is supported by Vibe UK, helping young people to have their voices heard, develop their ideas and take action on the issues that matter to them and their communities. 

Kirsten Barton, Halton Lead at Vibe UK, said: 

“I am incredibly proud of every young person and the team involved in the Binimals campaign. They identified an issue in their community, developed a creative solution and worked hard to turn their idea into reality. 

“Their passion, commitment and determination have not only helped improve the local environment but have also shown the positive impact young people can have when they are given the opportunity to be heard and supported. 

“Winning this award is incredibly inspiring and I hope they feel as proud of their achievement as we do.” 

The award celebrates the creativity, commitment and hard work of the young people involved in Halton Youth Cabinet, and highlights the positive change that can happen when young people are given opportunities to lead on the issues that matter to them.