The NYA Blog
Dominique's blog from the CYPN Awards
14 December 2009
Dominique Mitchell, one of the young judges at the recent Children and Young People Now Awards, recounts an enjoyable night out.
I was honoured to be one of the few to be invited to the Children and Young People Now awards. I knew it was going to be a fabulous event. I eagerly awaited the day for over three weeks, and felt close to the event because of my part played in it as a young judge. I had judged five different awards and read at least twenty nominations, all of which I felt deserved an award because of the amazing work they do across the UK. It really emphasised to me that England is not a chaotic jungle full of young people going wild and that it is unfair that so much media coverage is dominated by a minority of negative stories surrounding young people when there are a hundred times as many people helping and trying to prevent this. So, the evening was to show all the amazing work people do with young people around the country from Ealing to Suffolk to Wales. I was amazed as I walked into the room to see waiters offering soft drinks and, for those of legal age, champagne. The decorations were amazing. After half an hour of mingling and photo taking we all sat around to dinner. I was slightly intimidated by the people who surrounded me - service directors, chief executives, Ed Balls! Dinner was something that at 19 I wouldn't usually order but I pretended to eat with a smile. When the awards for each group were announced I clapped sincerely each and every time. I was amazed at how much work every individual had put in and believed each deserved to be recognised. After coffee and mints our table of a few young judges requested a picture with Ed Balls which he politely accepted. I had met Ed Balls previously at another event and wondered if he remembered me! He did, and I asked for some careers advice about getting into politics! After way too much chocolate fountain and desserts in very tiny glasses we headed back to the hotel in the middle of Chelsea. What a fabulous night!