Youth and Community Research Group Image Competition
In the Summer of 2026, the Youth and Community Research Group announced our image competition. We asked for young people aged 11 to 25 years old living in the UK to develop an image depicting what youth and community means to them to showcase on our website launched earlier in the year.
First Place
By Ersela, Aged 15
“My image is about everything I believe makes up childhood, like hubba bubba bubblegum, make-up, even jewellery! To me, it represents youth and community as it really shows how being a kid can feel through objects and memories.”
Runner Up
By Izzy, Aged 14
“I drew hands trying to grab the girl so that they can drag her down, but she’s ignoring them and looking at the sky with a nice rainbow. I feel like this represents youth and community because people are constantly trying to drag you down, but you’ll be happier if you don’t let what they say get to you.”
Runner Up
By Amber and Lexi, Both Aged 15
“This is an image based on youth and community [which] shows pictures of different emergency services such as [the] police, fire and NHS, showing [that] everyone is entitled to [a] free NHS. There’s also a small section showing people [are] entitled to free education. And that everyone deserves respect, also the sunflower lanyard represents disability’s especially ones that are more hidden.”
Runner Up
By Holly, Aged 12
“My image represents a place to belong, a place to come together, to share the beautiful surroundings, peace, nature, connection and freedom, The Park Bench. A place to make new friends, whilst enjoying being outdoors, improving your health and wellbeing.”