Birmingham’s young changemakers celebrated at Next Generation Awards 2026

Young people from across Birmingham took centre stage at this year’s Next Generation Awards presenting innovative ideas designed to make a positive difference in their communities.

Held on Thursday 15 October at the home of long-term supporters and sponsors Birmingham Newman University, the annual celebration brought together nearly 130 guests, including proud parents, grandparents and teachers. Attendees were also joined by Guest of Honour Preet Gill MP, Member of Parliament for Birmingham Edgbaston, as well as Freddie Gick and Michael Sheehan, who founded the Next Generation Awards more than 21 years ago.

As always, the event provided an uplifting and inspiring opportunity to recognise the outstanding work taking place in schools across the city and to celebrate young people who are committed to helping others.

Plan Bee takes the top prize

This year’s winning team came from King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Boys, impressing judges with their well-developed Plan Bee project.

The team identified the decline in local bee populations as a pressing environmental concern, highlighting that several bee species are at risk of extinction. Their project aims not only to increase bee numbers across the area but also to educate the wider public about the vital role bees play in maintaining healthy ecosystems.

To tackle the issue, the pupils plan to build and distribute bee hotels and wildflowers, providing bees with both shelter and food while raising awareness of the challenges they face.

The team received the Next Generation Awards Shield and the £1,500 Newman Prize, generously provided by Birmingham Newman University. The award was presented by Preet Gill MP, alongside Matthew Vaughan, Co-Chair of the Birmingham Civic Society, and Next Generation Awards founders Freddie Gick and Michael Sheehan. The team is now being paired with a mentor to help turn their winning idea into reality.

Reflecting on the achievement, Sean Donnelly, Head of Enrichment and Teacher of English at King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Boys, said:

“We are extremely proud of Team Bee for their brilliant idea to conserve and encourage the local bee populations. We are confident this idea will have a massive impact, not only ecologically, but on the wellbeing of local residents and pupils in our school. Thank you to the Next Generation Awards for providing our boys with a fantastic opportunity to make a difference.”

Inspiring ideas from across the city

The competition also showcased an impressive range of projects from other finalists, including teams from Bishop Walsh Catholic School, King Edward VI Five Ways School and King Edward VI Handsworth School for Girls.

Their initiatives included a discreet care package scheme providing hygiene essentials for fellow pupils, an allotment project and a campaign focused on improving water safety.

Commenting on the standard of entries, Matthew Vaughan, Co-Chair of the Birmingham Civic Society, said:

“All of the finalists’ projects were excellent and brilliantly presented – it’s so inspiring to see what young people from the city can do, and how much they can contribute to the future of Birmingham – thank you so much to all our judges, the Civic Society team, everyone at Birmingham Newman University and our honoured guest Preet Gill for their support in making this wonderful event happen.”

Building on success

The event also welcomed back last year’s Next Generation Awards winners, Together in Translation from Bartley Green School, who attended alongside their mentor Ingid Lee of Birmingham Newman University.

The team shared an update on the progress of their English as an Additional Language (EAL) project, demonstrating how ideas developed through the competition can continue to make a lasting impact. Using their prize funding, they have produced new booklets and distributed copies to schools attending the event for use across the city.

Additional copies of both the pupil and parent booklets, along with supporting resources, remain available on request.

Encouraging the next generation

Jo Dunlop, Next Generation Awards Project Manager, highlighted the wider importance of the programme:

“Our Next Generation Awards and School Star Awards ceremony is a fantastic celebration of positive citizenship activity within our city and highlight of our year. We want every young person in Birmingham to know their voice matters and that they can all work towards making a difference for our communities. We would encourage all schools across Birmingham to get in touch and get involved in our work to help the future generation to develop active citizenships skills so that we can all work together for a better Birmingham.”

Now in its 21st year, the Next Generation Awards (NGA) has engaged more than 40,000 young people, encouraging them to identify challenges within their communities and create practical solutions. Open to all Birmingham secondary school pupils in Years 7 to 9, the programme is provided free of charge, with all resources supplied.

Schools interested in taking part, and organisations or individuals wishing to support the programme, can find out more through the Birmingham Civic Society’s social media channels or by emailing info@birminghamcivicsociety.org.uk.