Coventry Charity Bardsley Youth Project Highly Commended in Not-for-Profit Champion Category
- bardsleyyouth
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Bardsley Youth Project has been recognised as Highly Commended in the Not-for-Profit Champion category at the 2026 Coventry and Warwickshire Business and Community Awards, held at the Belgrade Theatre.
On Thursday 23rd April 2026, at the Belgrade Theatre in Coventry, organisations from across the region came together for the Coventry and Warwickshire Business and Community Awards, hosted by the Belgrade Theatre and organised by the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce.
The evening was a celebration of the work taking place across the local community — the non-profit champion focused on local charitable work in particular.
As one of the judges reflected during the ceremony:
“Whatever situation any of us might find ourselves in at any point in our lives, there is somebody there who will scoop you up and put you back in place…”
It was a moment that captured the spirit of the evening — recognising the dedication, care and often unseen work happening across Coventry and Warwickshire.
Bardsley Youth Project was named Highly Commended in the Not-for-Profit Champion category, sponsored by Coventry Building Society.
The category was won by Muscular Dystrophy Support Centre, who were recognised for their own important and impactful work supporting individuals and families across the region.
During the presentation, judges highlighted what set Bardsley Youth Project apart:
“This organisation really got to us because they are a tiny team and they give so much to the young people that they support. They have their lived experience at the heart of everything they do and have such empathy. And they've really thought about absolutely everything that they can do to support these young people.”
Bardsley Youth Project supports young people aged 16 to 25 who are facing homelessness or at risk of it — walking alongside them through what can be some of the most challenging periods of their lives.
With roots in youth work going back many years, and becoming a registered charity in 2013, the organisation has developed a model built on walking alongside local young people.
As the Rachel (Communications and Fundraisng Worker) described it :
“We’re a small team that work closely to support some of Coventry’s most vulnerable young people. We walk with young people through their journey of homelessness. We believe in the resilience of young people facing difficulty, and we care deeply about getting things right for them.”
The charity was represented on the evening by members of its team, trustees and wider community, reflecting the collaborative effort behind its work.
The awards evening was a brilliant opportunity to recognise the wide network of organisations across Coventry and Warwickshire working to support people, business and the local community in different ways.
The Bardsley Youth Project team , felt honoured to be a part of this. The charity continues to work alongside local partners, businesses and the community — building relationships that help ensure young people have the support they need in Coventry, when they need it.
