Archbishop of York Youth Trust Award Winners 2009 - Emmanuel and Charles Chiweshe

Emmanuel and Charles Chiweshe, St Michaels Youth Project, Youth Trust Award

In an area blighted by many social problems, the project seeks to be a source of encouragement, education and fun to the young people who live there. It provides a range of leisure time activities to develop their physical, mental and spiritual capacities, and helps to improve their quality of life. These can range from the young people learning computer and cooking skills to regular trips away and high-energy sports and games.

Anne Richards, project manager, says: "Our area has got lots of issues, like high levels of unemployment, teenage pregnancy, drug and alcohol abuse and family breakdown. Lots of places struggle with these but here there seems to be a higher concentration. Our youth project is about raising aspirations and encouraging young people to believe in themselves and discover what gifts and talents they've got."

Teenage brothers Emmanuel, 17, and Charles, 13, Chiweshe have made positive contributions to the project. Originally from Zimbabwe, project leaders said their musical skills have been an inspiration to others, and they have helped educate local young people about respecting those of different race and colour. The brothers are both committed Christians who use their urban-style music to communicate their faith with other teenagers.