How to enter the Yorkshire Asian Young Achievers Awards

Before winning last year’s Yorkshire Asian Young Achievers Award, Huma was more likely to shy away from the limelight. But her advice now is to seize opportunities and celebrate success.

The 27-year-old, from Bradford, was the overall winner of the Young Achiever of the Year award 2021, and also won the Public Sector category for her work supporting the patient voice in service change within the NHS Leeds CCG.

She was recognised for her dedication in pressing on through the pandemic with new schemes to help others, despite her own serious health problems. “It was lovely to just be recognised,” says Huma, who believes the award came at a particularly poignant time when people who, like her, suffer with health issues are still feeling vulnerable following the pandemic.

Huma at home with her award

“To have that bit of recognition and, at the same time it’s supporting others, talking to them about medical conditions and the pandemic, how it can have an impact - that has been really important as well,” says Huma. “It’s about a society that is still getting back to normal and helping to bridge that gap - having a platform makes a link with others.”

It was partly for her volunteer work during the pandemic that Huma received the award. Despite her longterm health conditions - Huma attends hospital appointments for blood transfusions and treatments - she finds time to volunteer. Through her work with Leaders Unlocked she became involved with the Mental Health Foundation and was appointed a trustee of the charity in March. She has also worked for Barnardo’s, delivering a wellness recovery group to support young people with their mental health, and she runs social enterprise Music Talkz, which developed from her own love of music and its benefits for her mental health. Sessions are currently run online but hopes to deliver them face-to-face in future. “It was set up in 2017 and supports young people’s mental health through creative tools; lyric writing, workshops,” Huma explains.

Music Talkz taps into the synergy between mood and music. “Music has been my tool supporting my mental health, and working for Barnardo’s I realised it was something young people were using,” says Huma. “It highlights how everybody uses music on a daily basis to regulate their mood and emotions. It’s something we’re always using but may not be consciously aware of.”

Huma believes that, in the aftermath of the pandemic, more young people need mental health support: “I think young people, for the first time in a very long time, are getting that awareness with mental health. I think the pandemic has highlighted a lot of things for young people.”

Now she hopes to encourage others to strive for success and overcome issues in their lives. And winning the Young Achievers Award has enabled her to profile the work she does to support others.

Entries recently opened for the third annual Yorkshire Young Achiever Awards and Huma urges those who are contemplating entering to do it: “If you think you want to go for it, then go for it,” she says.

“Sometimes we don’t talk about our own successes and achievements, we tend to shy away from them, it’s how we are. But if you get the opportunity it can help you with your future career; it helps you when you go for an interview - it’s about sharing your success.

“Don’t let the opportunity pass,” she adds.

The awards are organised by the Bradford-based QED Foundation - which improves the social and economic position of disadvantaged communities in partnership with public, private and civil organisations - and headline partners York St John University.

QED Foundation Chief Executive Dr Mohammed Ali said: “Of Yorkshire’s more than 600,000 BME residents, the vast majority are of South Asian origin. Sadly, they continue to struggle to overcome disadvantages in making their way in the world, be that in education, employment or social mobility generally. They need role models; people who have broken through barriers and overcome challenges. We know there are many dynamic, hardworking young people achieving great things across the county. These awards celebrate their achievements and efforts and help others by showing what can be achieved.

“The standard of entries last year was remarkable. We had humbling, life-affirming stories of people overcoming the odds to carve their way. We’re enormously proud of all those who entered. They were all inspirational.”

The categories are: Achievement in School or College; Health/Mental Health and Healthcare; The Arts and Creative Industries; the Private Sector; Media; Education; the Public Sector; the Not-for-Profit Sector; Achievement as a Young Entrepreneur; Sport; Achievement in Overcoming Life Obstacles. An overall Young Achiever of the Year is chosen from the winners.

* For details of how to enter go to theyayas.org.uk or via: qed-uk.org. The closing date for nominations is Friday July 15.

The awards will be presented at a gala dinner at the Cedar Court Hotel in Bradford on November 11.