Nominations have today (Thursday 19 January) opened for the Live Our Best Life Awards 2023.

Nottinghamshire Police's Youth Outreach team coordinate the awards which are aimed at recognising the incredible hard work and fantastic achievements made by young people throughout the county.

Teachers, carers, youth workers, parents, and other adults are now being asked to nominate any young person who has made an outstanding contribution to the community and deserves to be recognised for their talents and work.

The awards are open to anyone who lives or goes to school in Nottinghamshire, and those aged between eight and 18 who have shown incredible resilience, selflessness, or have done something inspirational throughout the last year.

In total six awards are up for grabs with prizes including an iPad, gift voucher and a trip to Nottinghamshire Police's dog unit available for the winners.

The different award categories are as follows:

- Lyrico Steede Award – awarded to a young person who may have been involved in gangs, knife crime or any other forms of criminality but has made significant progress and inspired others.

- Rising Above Adversity Award – goes to a young person who despite their background or upbringing are an inspiration to others.

- Young Leader of the Year Award – awarded to a young person who is leading by example and is a role model to their peers through student, sport, or youth work.

- Young Performer of the Year Award - goes to someone who has displayed amazing talents such as singing, dancing, rapping, acting and anything creative.

- Bringing People Together Award – awarded to a person who has tried to bring the community together or fought to eradicate hate or racism.

- Young Inspiration Award – awarded to someone who has done something inspirational and shown incredible resilience or something selfless to help others.

Nottinghamshire Police's youth outreach worker, Romel Davis, who works within the Citizens in Policing Department, launched the awards in 2021 in a bid to shine a light on all the hard and inspirational work being done by young people in Nottinghamshire.

He said: "This is the third year the awards have been running and each year they have just gone from strength to strength.

"Last year was the first year we could hold an award ceremony in person and to see all the winners, their families, some of the sponsors, and officers from the police all so involved and amazed at the work, generosity, and talents of the six winners was incredibly heart-warming.

"This year we're aiming to go even bigger. We want as many people as possible to nominate a young person and help us showcase the incredible work that the young people of Nottinghamshire are doing.

"We understand young people can sometimes be stigmatised and the goal of these awards and working alongside the youngsters is to try and stamp that out and show how amazing they can be."

The awards last year were hugely successful with the force receiving over 150 nominations in a matter of weeks and each of the winners walking away with a brand new iPad, £100 Amazon gift voucher, trophies, and other gifts.

The awards form just one part of Nottinghamshire Police's ongoing work in local communities to celebrate and give opportunities for young people as part of the force's youth outreach team working, educating, and helping youngsters in Nottinghamshire.

Romel added: "If you know anyone between the ages of eight and 18, who lives or goes to school in Nottinghamshire, click the link below and fill in an entry form.

"Young people deserve to be noticed and recognised and that's what these awards are all about but we need your help to do that.

"It's a great opportunity to highlight those who have gone the extra mile and are positive role models to their peers, family and friends."

Nominations close on Friday 10 March before a panel of specially chosen judges sit down and choose the six winners.

To nominate a young person for one of the awards please click here.