Wolverhampton youth theatre shortlisted for award

The UK Youth Awards celebrate young people's achievements and the grassroots youth organisations that support them. A high-profile judging panel including Nigel Mansell CBE, Sol Campbell and the Minister of Civil Society selected the finalists.

Leaders and young people from CYT will travel to London on December 7 to attend a presentation event at the Institute of Contemporary Arts.

After the awards ceremony, CYT will then send two representatives to a two hour reception with afternoon tea at Buckingham Palace, hosted by UK Youth's patron, HRH The Princess Royal.

Director Jane Ward MBE said:"We are more than excited to have been shortlisted as UK Youth organisation of the year.

"2016 started on such a high for us after gaining the funding to proceed with our development in Lichfield Street, then everything went wrong and we felt so very low – so to achieve this recognition is just fantastic."

The UK Youth Awards are split into two categories, to crown both an individual and an organisation from within UK Youth's member network.

The Youth Organisation of the Year award celebrates the innovative and adaptable youth organisations that have overcome challenges to continuously support young people and their local communities.

CYT Assistant Director Holly Parry and member Adam Halcro will be attending the reception at the Palace with Princess Anne.

Winners of the award receive a suite of prizes including grant funding of up to £350, mentoring and free Membership with UK Youth or a National Partner.

Earlier this year, the CYT had to hand back its £384,000 grant from the Arts Council after the YMCA Black Country Group unveiled its £6 million plans to transform the Co-operative Store building on Lichfield Street.

The store had originally been earmarked for the theatre company's use.