Kesgrave student calls for teens with big dreams to enter the Bright Future Prize

A Kesgrave finalist of the Bright Future Prize is calling for young people to take part in the opportunity of a lifetime as entries open for this year’s £40,000 prize. 

The prize is now in its second year and is hosted by Ardonagh Community Trust (ACT), the registered charity of one of the world’s leading insurance brokers, The Ardonagh Group.

Last year, Grace Harman successfully secured funding to support Suffolk Music and Arts Trust (SMART), where she volunteers as a Trustee, to help young people to pursue their musical ambitions.

Grace, 19, who is now studying music at university, is encouraging teens with big dreams to put forward their ideas, before Friday 29 April, to make a difference to the communities they care about.

She said: “The Bright Future Prize has been a brilliant experience, not only for the charity, but also for my personal career in music. Having the support and trust of both a local Suffolk charity and the Ardonagh Trust has been very beneficial to my confidence and drive to thrive.

“The money has allowed SMART to start giving out grants and scholarships. We will also use the money to increase the number and diversity of grants that we are able to give.

“If you have a passion for change or helping a cause, Ardonagh Community Trust can support and help to stimulate your ambitions.“

Winners of this year’s four prize categories will each receive a share of the £40,000 fund, alongside opportunities for mentoring to help turn their dreams into reality.

ACT Trustee and former British and Ireland Lions Captain Rory Best described his delight at the prize’s launch and asked young people to step forward to help bring about the change they want to see in the world.

He said: “I’m excited that applications for the Bright Future Prize 2022 are now officially open.

“We want to hear from 13–19-year-olds about the incredible projects and causes they’re passionate about, so that we can help support their communities around the world.

“I’m incredibly proud to be an ACT trustee and supporter of the Bright Future Prize and I can’t wait to read about young people’s big ideas to help shape a brighter future.”

Last year, four talented individuals and groups were given the chance to drive positive change in their communities. Their projects ranged from, promoting anti-bullying messages, and encouraging young people living in areas of deprivation to apply to top universities to helping young people to protect their mental health through computer gaming.

Now in 2022, the Bright Future Prize has grown to support more teenagers and their big ideas. This year, there are four prize categories, which are each linked to a different way young people can help improve their community of choice.

The prize categories are:

• Your community – Making a difference to the people around you
• Your planet – Protecting the environment and taking a stand against climate change
• Your vision – Driving positive change through entrepreneurship or innovation
• Your passion – Sharing your love for music, the arts or sport with more people

The prize is open to young people aged 13-19, who live a region where Ardonagh has a presence, including in the UK, Ireland, Australia, the United States, or South Africa. To apply, candidates – individually, or as a group – should propose a project or a cause close to their heart, and outline how they will use the funding to help make their community better, brighter, and stronger. Applications are open between 14 March and Friday 29 April. To apply please visit: [ https://www.ardonaghtrust.org/bright-future-prize]

The Ardonagh Community Trust helps communities become better, brighter and stronger. Since the charity’s launch in 2017, it has raised more than £1.5 million for causes around the world.  To find out more click on the link!