13/05/2026
We are over the moon to announce that our young people have been shortlisted for the Sheila McKechnie Foundation (SMK) National Campaigner Awards SMK in the Young Campaigner category for ! 🏆✨
The award celebrates campaigns instigated, delivered, or led by 18-25 year olds, who have made change happen effectively, creatively and courageously. We are beyond proud. A group of our young people will be heading the award ceremony in London on 11th June - keep everything crossed that they win!
Over 16 months, our young campaigners did everything they could to save Ramsgate Youth Centre from auction - from crowdfunding and lobbying our district, county and national politicians to raising awareness and commissioning a community values assessment of the services we run to prove the huge value Pie makes. Together, with funding from the Pride in Place programme, they did it!
Our CEO Zoë says:
“To be shortlisted for an award and gain national recognition for our Save Our Youth Centre campaign is beyond incredible! Our nomination provides hope for young people and youth organisations that challenges that seem insurmountable can be conquered with teamwork and joy. If we can do it in our small town in the corner of the southeast, it can be done anywhere.”
SMK says:
"This year’s Awards celebrates a community of changemakers navigating one of the most challenging environments in recent memory – and doing so with ingenuity, courage, and a deep commitment to one another. This year we honour campaigners and changemakers who demonstrate that progress is not driven by lone heroes, but by collective effort, shared learning, and deep connection and most importantly teach us all a simple but radical truth: change is possible when we work together."
Read our campaign’s story here: www.smk.org.uk/what-we-do/connect/awards/smk-national-campaigner-awards-2026-shortlist (link in bio)
