Y North is proud to announce the recognition of two outstanding programmes at this year’s Y National Awards Evening, celebrating the dedication and impact of our community initiatives.

The YMCA George Briggs Youth Award was proudly awarded to our Mentor Me Programme, delivered by The Y’s Raise Up team. Mentor Me is a tailored, in-depth support initiative designed to empower young people at risk of disengaging from education, training, or employment. Mentees join the programme through referrals from school counsellors, parents, healthcare professionals, social workers, or through self-referral.

Our dedicated Raise Up mentors, specially trained to guide these young people, work closely with them to build resilience, maintain educational engagement, and secure meaningful employment pathways. Currently, the programme supports 49 mentees across nine schools, with 32 actively engaged or transitioning out successfully, and 14 young people waiting for this vital support.

In addition, the YMCA Strengthening Families Award recognised our Basketball Pathways Programme based in Massey. This initiative creates meaningful development opportunities through basketball, encouraging young players to hone their skills and take on leadership roles as coaches and referees.

Beyond player development, the programme fosters strong community connections, with parents stepping up as volunteer team managers and organisers, reinforcing the sense of belonging and support that underpins our work.

These awards reflect Y North’s ongoing commitment to creating pathways for youth empowerment and community engagement. We congratulate all involved for their passion and dedication in making a lasting difference in the lives of young people and their families.

Together, we continue to build a stronger, more connected future.