A group of North East youths have clinched an award for their cultural work in the community.

The Celebrate Different Collective was lauded for co-producing and managing events in Sunderland, working in tandem with the British Museum and the Marsh Charitable Trust.

The Marsh Volunteer Award highlights the key role of volunteers in enriching visitor experience in museums.

The group brings together youngsters aged between 13 and 25 and is supported by Sunderland Culture.

The Northern Echo: Celebrate Different Collective and Jennie Lambert, Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens with Brian

Since its inception in June 2019, the youngsters have demonstrated their passion for getting their voices heard and motivating their peers in Sunderland.

Their recent initiatives involve organising the 'Proggy Pride Party', a celebration for LGBTQIA+ young adults.

Designed to evoke a sense of heritage, the event at Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens featured artist workshops and object handling from the collection.

The collective also curated the annual Youth Arts Exhibition Bright Lights at Arts Centre Washington and the Bright Lights Remixed Exhibition, commemorating 25 years of youth arts award.

Other feats include the exhibition 'Where There’s Space to Grow', which mirrored the industrial decline of North East England in the 1980s whilst anticipating a progressive future.

The 2022 Marsh Volunteer Award, run in association with organisations including Barnardo’s, the Refugee Council, and the British Museum, recognise selfless individuals and groups striving to improve society.

The Northern Echo: The Celebrate Different Collective at The British Museum, with Jennie Lambert left and Rachel Hamer, backThe Celebrate Different Collective at The British Museum, with Jennie Lambert left and Rachel Hamer, back (Image: SUNDERLAND CULTURE)

The Sunderland group won in the North East and North West region, with each winner receiving £500 from the Marsh Charitable Trust.

One national winner gets an additional £2,000.

Most read:

From now until November 8, every monthly Premium Plus digital subscription purchased will cost just £3 for three months. During this time, every annual Premium Plus subscription will cost just £47 for a 12-month subscription, saving you 40 per cent. 

"The Marsh Awards were a landmark achievement for me and my group. It was such an honour and it opens up so many doors for me and my career as a young person," said group member Georgie Donkin.

Jennie Lambert, public engagement and learning manager at Sunderland Museums and Heritage Service, said: "We’re delighted and proud that the Celebrate Different Collective won this prestigious award."

Brian Marsh OBE established the trust in 1981. It backs about 400 charities annually via grants and awards about 100 distinctive awards to individuals and groups devoted to their cause.