Ryan Jay

Since 2007 when he was only 14 years old, Ryan has been running a youth club in Gainsborough Community Library, because he recognised the need for a safe space for teens to meet to stop them hanging around the streets. In 2008 the library was awarded funding from the Big Lottery. Ryan joined the user forum to give young people a voice on what the new library would offer the community. Ryan secured funding of over £5000 for equipment and youth projects, including graffiti, film and teen safe projects. In 2010 with funding from The Media Trust the club produced a film to promote the positive image of the IP3 area, multiple copies have been distributed and the film has had over 1200 viewings on u-tube. Last year Ryan was awarded The Suffolk Police & BT Young Person of the Year and the V-Inspired Connect Award for the East of England for innovative and effective efforts to bring communities together. Ryan is still a member of the forum and still runs the weekly youth club, which continues to have a positive influence on anti-social behaviour in the area. To date Ryan has completed over 700 volunteer hours.