Spirit of London Awards
Abbreviation | SOLA |
---|---|
Formation | 2009 |
Type | Youth Awards and Youth Movement |
Purpose | "To break the imbalance of the way young people are portrayed in the media by rewarding the best young people of the UK who often get ignored" |
Headquarters | Cambridge House, London |
Region served | England, Wales, Scotland |
Official language | English |
Managing Director | Gary Trowsdale |
Parent organization | Damilola Taylor Trust |
Affiliations | Damilola Taylor, PlayStation, Barclays, Working Links, Choice FM, Candy Store, AEG, Rio Ferdinand, Kids Company, British Youth Council, Kiss 100 London, The Sun (United Kingdom), SB.TV, Endz 2 Endz Magazine |
Website | spiritoflondonawards.com |
The Spirit of London Awards is an awards ceremony that awards young people for their talent across London and the UK, in the Arts, Media, Sport, Campaigning and Education.[1] The project was created by the Damilola Taylor Trust[2] in 2009 as a way of addressing the imbalance young people are portrayed by the national media by creating a Community Oscar's for young people to rival the MOBO Awards and the BAFTA's. SOLA is also a youth movement aimed at decreasing crime by young people, decreasing poverty and ensuring every young person reaches their potential. They do this by working in conjunction with the Greater London Authority, Local government and Parliament.[3]
Supporters include David Cameron PM, Frank Warren, Leona Lewis, Brooke Kinsella, Noel Clarke, Diversity, Boris Johnson and Rio Ferdinand. It is supported by Barclay's Bank, The Sun, Team GB, Kiss 100, Working Links, PlayStation[4] and many other organizations [5] and companies.[6]
The first Spirit of London Awards was held on 27 November 2009, at the Alexander Palace in London.[7] The second awards took place 27 November 2010, at The O2 Arena IndigO2 in London.[8] The 2011 awards took place at the Royal Albert Hall on 20 November 2011[9] and the 2012 awards are due on 10 December 2012 at The O2 Arena.
Before each awards night there is a reception at 10 Downing Street so the short-listed nominees can meet the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. The Prime Minister's to have greeted and congratulated the nominees so far are Gordon Brown and David Cameron.
Downing Street reception
Approximately two weeks before the awards night the three nominees in each category, the sponsors of the event and performers on the night get a chance to meet each other at 10 Downing Street before the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom delivers a speech.[10]
SOLA School Roadshow
Previous nominees along with a celebrity ambassador go to Secondary schools all over London to speak to the students about their experiences, there is also a Q&A at the end where students can ask questions.
In 2012 the roadshow went to over 20 schools in London.[11]
Youth manifesto
In 2012 using the collection of ideas from 140 young ambassadors of SOLA and other young people around London's most disadvantaged areas a youth manifesto was created which delivers ideas on how the government can effectively engage young people in the UK. It was written by 23-year-old Oliver Hypolite-Bishop who also wrote Siobhan Benita's manifesto for the London mayoral election, 2012. It was presented to David Cameron, Nick Clegg and Ed Miliband on 29 November 2012.[12]
Award categories
Each category has three nominees shortlisted. (Sometimes one more is added in special circumstances).
- Community Champions Award - Young people who strive through their endeavors and positive actions to make their mark on their local community.
- London Legend Award - The award goes to the iconic Londoner who young people feel deserves recognition for their role in promoting London positively on the world stage.
- Young Heroes Award (Mayor's Order of Merit) - An award for special kids whose special deeds have made a difference to their local community.
- Achievement Through Sport Award - For young people who either excel themselves against the odds or who use sport to help others in the community.
- Achievement Through Music Award - Young people who use their ability with music to progress in life or to brighten up the lives of others in their communities.
- Community Business Entrepreneur Award - This award is for a young person or group of young people who light their local community with their enterprise through business.
- Achievement Through Education Award - An important award category and one which will be awarded not necessarily to an individual but perhaps to a class of young people who have excelled together and brightened up their local community in doing so.
- Achievement Through The Arts Award - An awards category for those that make their mark creatively in the arts world - film, television, theater, literature and then light up the world for others in doing so.
- Special Recognition Award - This award is made for outstanding contribution to charity campaigning.
2012 awards
The awards on 10 December is to be held at The O2 Arena in Greenwich.[13] The host for this event is Emily Atack and Russell Kane; the confirmed line up performing on the night include Labrinth, Maverick Sabre, Stooshe, McFly, Noisettes, YolanDa Brown, Diversity (dance troupe) and Angel (musician).[14]
The submissions for each category this year averaged 3000 nominations.
The Spirit of London Awards will become the biggest ever youth event with an 8000-seater audience celebrating the young people of the UK.
2011 awards
The awards were held on 20 November 2011. The event was at The Royal Albert Hall[15] and was hosted by Stacey Solomon and Eddie Kadi.
Some of the performers on the night included Tinchy Stryder, Beverley Knight, DJ Fresh, Diversity and Keri Hilson.
Class of 2011
Achievement through music
- David o'Connell - Winner[16]
- Miranda Gunn - Shortlisted
- J - Sol - Shortlisted
Achievement through education
- Alexandros Pamnani - Winner
- Kay-Jay Simmons - Shortlisted
- Jamal Walker - Shortlisted
Achievement through media
- Bobby Jenkins - Winner
- Creative Nerds - Dirujan Sabesan & Sam Thornton - Shortlisted
- Courtney Dionne Carr - Shortlisted
Community champions
- HYPE - Winner
- Barking & Dagenham young inspectors - Shortlisted
- Horizons ShoutOut Council - Shortlisted
Young business entrepreneur
- Jude Samuel Escol - Winner
- Jahmila Connage - Shortlisted
- Jessica Rose - Shortlisted
Achievement through the arts
- Antoinette Rita Opeyemi - Winner
- Torron-Lee Dewar - Shortlisted
- Fabien Soazandry - Shortlisted
Achievement through sport
- Pechkam BMX Club - Winner
- Mauro Vilhete - Shortlisted
- Darius Knight - Shortlisted
Young hero
- Lucas Pinto - Winner
- Louis French - Shortlisted
- Cynthia Masiyiwa - Shortlisted
Achievement through fashion
- Jessica Anuna - Winner
- Jada Simone - Shortlisted
- Nicholas Amfo - Shortlisted
Young campaigner of the year
- Callum Fairhurst - Shortlisted
- Eliza Reberio - Shortlisted
- Jahanara Chaudhry - Shortlisted
London legend
- Harry Redknapp - Winner
2010 awards
The awards were held 27 November 2010. This years event was at the IndigO2 in Greenwich, and was hosted by Tamar Hussan (Clash of the Titans) and Tasha Danvers (Olympic bronze medalist in 400m hurdles).
The supporting cast included such acts as Toploader, Roll Deep, Labrinth, Robbie Craig, Diversity, Alexandra Burke, and many more.
Class of 2010
- Vanessa Sanyauke (Rafiki Network) - Won Community Champions Award.
- Nutmeg - Shortlisted Community Champions Award.
- Bigga Fish Street Team - Shortlisted Community Champions Award.
- Prendergast Ladywellfields College - Won Young Heroes Award.
- Supakids - Shortlisted Young Heroes Award.
- Joshua Sukama - Shortlisted Young Heroes Award.
- Jessica Elliott (Dancing After School) - Won Community Business Entrepreneur Award.
- Omar Choudhry - Shortlisted Community Business Entrepreneur Award.
- Sabirul Islam Shortlisted Community Business Entrepreneur Award.
- Hayley Rea (Aim High Dance Academy) - Won Achievement Through The Arts Award.
- Big Deal Youth Arts Company - Shortlisted Achievement Through The Arts Award.
- Alice Moore - Shortlisted Achievement Through The Arts Award.
- Camara Fearon - Won Achievement Through Music Award.
- Clarence 'Poetic Preacher' Jackson - Shortlisted Achievement Through Music Award.
- SwiftKnight - Shortlisted Achievement Through Music Award.
- Robert Hughes - Won Achievement Through Sport Award.
- Ryan Jones - Shortlisted Achievement Through Sport Award.
- Chloe Spiteri - Shortlisted Achievement Through Sport Award.
- Bobby Kensah - Won Achievement Through Education Award.
- Nathan Ghann - Shortlisted Achievement Through Education Award.
- Jesse Andrews & Jessie Brock - Shortlisted Achievement Through Education Award.
- Dennis Gyamfi (Endz2Endz) - Won Achievement Through Media Award.
- The Exposure Team - Shortlisted Achievement Through Media Award.
- Raphael Oyelade - Shortlisted Achievement Through Media Award.
- Barbara Windsor - Won London Legend Award.
2009 awards
In attendance were distinguished celebrities such as Sir Michael Caine, JLS, Tasha Danvers, and Tamar Hassan; the majority of the Mayors from the 33 London Boroughs; senior executives from various sponsors; notable government officials.[17]
Then came the show, hosted by Brooke Kinsella and Lemar. There were performances by Alexandra Burke, DJ Ironik, and Diversity to name but a few who gave their time for free to celebrate the young people.
Class of 2009
- Daniel De Gale - Won the Special Recognition Award.
- Nathan Storey - Won the Young Heroes Award.
- The Silvester Cousins - Shortlisted Young Heroes Award.
- Thomas Robertson - Shortlisted Young Heroes Award.
- Steve Jones - Shortlisted Young Heroes Award.
- Dean Atta - Won the Achievement Through the Arts Award.
- Islington Youth Theatre - Shortlisted Achievement Through the Arts Award.
- SuperArts Dancers - Shortlisted Achievement Through the Arts Award.
- Ebonie Reid-Barlow - Won the Achievement Through Education Award.
- Tommy Williams - Shortlisted Achievement Through Education Award.
- Michael Adewale - Shortlisted Achievement Through Education Award.
- Kolor Skeme - Won the Community Business Entrepreneur Award.
- MBG Funhouse - Shortlisted Community Business Entrepreneur Award.
- The Cordless Show Team - Shortlisted Community Business Entrepreneur Award.
- The Respect Team - Won the Community Champions Award.
- Ascension Eagles Senior Coed Team - Shortlisted Community Champions Award.
- Burntwood School Envision Team - Shortlisted Community Champions Award.
- Mariama Samba - Won the Achievement Through Music Award.
- Frances Davies - Shortlisted Achievement Through Music Award.
- Matthew Haynes - Shortlisted Achievement Through Music Award.
- Liam O'Brien (aka Ritz) - Shortlisted Achievement Through Music Award.
- Marlon Mellish - Won the Achievement Through Sport Award.
- Sean Safo - Shortlisted Achievement Through Sport Award.
- Jack Booth - Shortlisted Achievement Through Sport Award.
- Sir Michael Caine - Won the London Legend Award.
References
- ↑ "The Paralympics were amazing now let s find more young heroes". Thesun.co.uk. Retrieved 2015-12-18.
- ↑ "Taylor Employment Trust | Youth Employment Service". Damilolataylortrust.com. Retrieved 2015-12-18.
- ↑ Luke Jacobs. "Youngsters shortlisted in annual Spirit of London Awards - Politics". London 24. Retrieved 2015-12-18.
- ↑ "SB.TV x Spirit of London Awards in association with PlayStation - VIP event giveaway competition - SBTV". Sbtv.co.uk. 26 November 2012. Retrieved 18 August 2016.
- ↑ "Tickets | Find, Win & Buy - CAPITAL Xtra". Choice-fm.co.uk. Retrieved 2015-12-18.
- ↑ "Spirit of London awards". Workinglinks.co.uk. Retrieved 2015-12-18.
- ↑ "Mayor praises young achievers at Spirit of London Awards". www.london.gov.uk. Archived from the original on 24 August 2012. Retrieved 1 December 2012.
- ↑ "Vote for young London hero". Thesun.co.uk. Retrieved 2015-12-18.
- ↑ "Royal Albert Hall provides the Hall free of charge for Spirit of London Awards". www.royalalberthall.com. Archived from the original on 10 November 2011. Retrieved 1 December 2012.
- ↑ "Spirit Of London Awards Reception at 10 Downing Street". pictures.metro.co.uk. Retrieved 18 August 2016.
- ↑ "E2E.TV: SOLA 2012 Inspire Roadshow – Lilian Baylis School". Endz2endz.com. 9 November 2012. Retrieved 18 August 2016.
- ↑ Oliver hypolite-bishop (2012-07-21). "Race,Sports and Politics: A little introduction". Oliverbishop.blogspot.co.uk. Retrieved 2015-12-18.
- ↑ "Spirit of London Awards (SOLA) 2012". UGCY. Retrieved 2015-12-18.
- ↑ "Sola 2012". Official website. Retrieved 18 August 2016.
- ↑ "Recent Events - Spirit Of London Awards". www.royalalberthall.com. Archived from the original on 24 January 2012. Retrieved 1 December 2012.
- ↑ "Spirit Of London Awards 2011". www.kissfmuk.com. Archived from the original on 13 October 2012. Retrieved 1 December 2012.
- ↑ "Spirit of London Awards". www.lbhf.gov.uk. Archived from the original on 2 May 2010. Retrieved 1 December 2012.