YOH has been honoured with the Juliette Gimon Courage Award by the Global Fund for Children.

A spokesperson said: “This award is more than recognition; it is a celebration of every young person, every parent, every staff member, and every supporter who has walked this path with us. To receive an award rooted in courage, resilience, and leadership, values that defined Juliette Gimon’s legacy, is a profound moment in our journey.

We cannot thank our team enough. Day in and day out, you give your all, with limited resources, in challenging environments, and often without the recognition you deserve. You continue to show up, not because it’s easy, but because it’s right. 

“To the young people and parents who place their trust in us, especially when systems and agencies have let you down, you are our purpose. You are why we do what we do. Your belief in us, even when the odds are stacked against you, is the most courageous act of all. You remind us that change begins with trust and that impact is built on relationships, not quick fixes.

However, none of our work would happen if it were not for our supporters, our funders; thank you for your steadfast support. You understand that meaningful change takes time, and your willingness to invest in long-term outcomes allows us to innovate, learn, and grow with integrity. 

We are especially honoured to receive this award from Global Fund for Children, an organisation whose mission is as bold as it is essential. GFC shines a light on grassroots organisations that might otherwise go unheard, supporting and coaching those who live closest to the challenges and solutions. 

We are humbled to see that our work has been consistent over the last 26 years. In 2006, YOH was ranked joint first in a Hackney-wide Ofsted inspection. In 2011, our work was recognised by the Mayor of London for improving lives across the capital. And in 2016, an independent evaluation found that YOH had “achieved the best results of all providers” in the North London NEET consortium. These milestones tell a story of consistency, resilience, and community-led impact, long before words like “grassroots” became buzzwords.

“The Juliette Gimon Courage Award reminds us that real change often begins quietly, in the margins, among those who refuse to give up. We are deeply honoured to be recognised in Juliette’s memory, and we share this award with every person who has been part of the YOH story”.