Unitas Stoke-on-Trent is celebrating this week as one of their team, Brooke Chomyn, was recognised in the Youth Voice Award category at the prestigious Staffordshire Youth Awards 2022.
The Staffordshire Youth Awards, established by Sporting Communities and sponsored by Keele University, took place on Friday 18 November at the BET365 Stadium.
The Youth Voice category, sponsored by Enriching Communities aims to celebrate “a young person who has spoken out to bring about and influence and change within the community, or the city.” Brooke was one of two finalists and was described as having “incredible inner strength” for her work designing a leaflet for mental health and fostering and telling her own story to raise awareness.
During her time at Unitas, Brooke has spoken at a number of events, including the recently held Inspiration Station about her experience as a Care Leaver and the steps she’s made to give herself a positive future. Following her speech, Brooke received praise from Council Leader Abi Brown, Former Sentinel Editor Martin Tideswell and Councillor Dave Evans, Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s Lead Member for Children Services, who described Brooke as “amazing” and “a credit to Unitas, Stoke-on-Trent City Council and our entire city.”
Brooke is currently employed by Unitas on an eighteen-month apprenticeship which sees her working across multiple departments within the organisation, including Governance and Stores where she’s also been described as a Credit to Unitas.
Corporate Social Responsibility Co-ordinator Rachel Forster said, “We are all so proud of Brooke. Brooke is so worthy of this accolade; she tirelessly dedicates her time to help and inspire young people to improve their lives. She is a role model to other young people and a real asset to Unitas”.
Unitas’ Interim Director Neil Macleod said, “Unitas has worked very closely with the Care Leavers Team in the City to make apprenticeships available to the young people that they support. Brooke is the first young apprentice to come into Unitas through this route. She has excelled since day one and we have seen her develop and grow in her time with us. It’s fantastic to see her efforts and work get recognised at the awards, recognition that is well and truly deserved.”
