National award for Stockport youth alliance

The borough’s L!STEN Youth Alliance, has been honoured with the British Citizen Youth Award 2025 for the impact it has made in Stockport.

L!STEN is a partnership between Stockport Council and social enterprise PIE: Pursuing Individual Excellence, commissioned in April 2023 to amplify youth voices, address key issues, and ensure feedback informs decision-making across the borough. To make the programme fully inclusive and accessible, a local SEND organisation was also commissioned, ensuring that young people with additional needs are represented and supported throughout.

The Dame Mary Perkins British Citizen Group Award, awarded annually to just one group, was presented at the October 2025 Roll of Honour ceremony at the Palace of Westminster, celebrating the group’s outstanding commitment to improving the wellbeing and lives of young people across Stockport.

Cllr Wendy Meikle, Cabinet Member for Children Families and Education, said:

“L!STEN has transformed youth engagement in Stockport, giving young people pride, belonging, and a real voice in shaping change. This incredible recognition reflects their achievements and is thoroughly deserved. We congratulate them on the award and thank everyone involved for making the alliance such a success.”

Beth Collins, Founder and CEO of PIE: Pursuing Individual Excellence

“When we were first commissioned by Stockport Council to run a new Youth Alliance in 2023, we couldn’t have imagined how much the group would achieve in just a couple of years. Thanks to the council’s support and the passion of the young people, an initiative to gather youth voice has grown into something truly impactful – shaping policy decisions, consulting regularly with local leaders, and directly benefiting young people through annual Youth Summits and Wellbeing Festivals. This award not only celebrates their incredible work but also highlights the importance of youth voice and consultation in all council activity. We’re so proud of the L!STEN group – past and present – and can’t wait to see what they do next!“

Artemis, a member of the?L!STEN?Youth Alliance, said:

“I’ve?always wanted to have a career where I could?benefit?others in some way, but to?actually do?that at such?a young age, it was like a moment of realisation. Our hard work?actually resulted?in?this?and people know about us!”

Victoria, another?L!STEN?member,?stated?that:

“Winning this award was the wackiest thing!?It’s?a?really huge?deal. It does show that?the things?we’ve?worked hard for have actually paid off?and?I am so happy for this award.”

Steered by around 20 young people from diverse backgrounds, the L!STEN Youth Alliance is proud to be an inclusive group, with some members having additional needs. They have been recognised for initiatives including:

• Delivering an inclusive annual wellbeing event designed by young people, for young people.
• Running Stockport Youth Summit, an annual event bringing together over 250 students with councillors and community leaders and service providers.
• Conducting quarterly surveys of young people, that receive on average over 1,000 responses, with the aim of influencing policy on issues from hate crime to cost of living.
• Aligning with local initiatives, such as 5 Ways to Feel Good, to ensure young people’s voices directly influence and impact strategic change in Stockport.
• Contributing to the One Stockport One Future Borough Plan, ensuring youth perspectives shape the long-term vision for the borough.

Pictured: Dame Mary Perkins, Patron of BCyA, with members of L!sten Youth Alliance and Tim Vincent, presenter, at House of Lords, 30th October 2025.