By Elise Lamb
Continuously proud of supporting community connections and opportunities for young people, Sound Voices, a budding group of young Somerset reporters, was delighted to attend the press launch at Thatcher’s Orchards for “The Journey of the Dragon.” During the launch, we were excited to hear more about the current “Pride of Somerset Youth Awards.”
The Journey of the Dragon
The newly-unveiled dragon will soon take flight across Somerset until Somerset Day (May 11th), which proudly celebrates Somerset’s history, land and heritage. The press launch involved an engaging telling of the new storybook: “The Tail the Dragon,” followed by a lively collection of Morris dances.
Passion for Somerset CIC is the fiery powerhouse behind “The Journey of the Dragon.” The organisation’s mission is to inspire all people in Somerset to share a passion for, and feel confident in, their county. One way they set out to achieve this is through the Pride of Somerset Youth Awards (PoSYA).
Pride of Somerset: Youth Awards
The Pride of Somerset Youth Awards are focused on highlighting the extraordinary accomplishments and hard work of young people in Somerset, who are working towards a bright, fruitful future as well as making their loved ones and community proud.
Nigel Muers-Raby (CEO, Passion for Somerset CIC) told us at Sound Voices how important these awards are to, “celebrate the things our young people do,” that young people “deserve to be recognised…they are going above and beyond…they don’t want recognition, but they deserve it and they are role models. We need to hero them.”
Somerset’s leading representatives are backing the awards. The Lord-Lieutenant of Somerset, Mr Mohammed Saddiq, who represents the monarch in the county, said, “I think it's hugely important that we recognise the contribution of young people to the county of Somerset and community life.
We also spoke with the High Sheriff of Somerset, Mrs Janet Montgomery who urged people to nominate, “please do put forward any young people that you know of, whether they're in your local school, community or anywhere you hear of. The categories include many areas of achievement from showcasing resilience & courage to performing, sporting and academic success.”
These are the Award categories for 2026:
1. Art & Culture Award
2. Care Award
3. Championing Positive Mental Health Award
4. Charity/Volunteer Hero
5. Community Hero
6. Outstanding Courage Award
7. Sandy Padgett Award- recognising those embodying the spirit of commitment, service, and extraordinary achievement.
8. Sporting Achievement Award
9. Peter Renshaw Outstanding Educational Achiever Award
10. Young Person of the Year Award
Anyone under the age of 21 who lives, works or studies within the Somerset County is eligible to be nominated. Nominate yourself or a loved one, any young person who has worked exceptionally hard and deserves to be recognised for it.
The 2026 Awards, where all shortlisted nominees are invited to attend, will take place at the McMillan Theatre, Bridgwater on Thursday 21st of May, 2026. All nominations must be submitted before the 15th March 2026.
More information on the awards and nomination forms can be found at: https://www.passionforsomerset.com/pride-of-somerset-youth-awards
