RAYMOND AND DAVID’S BIG IDEA RISES TO MAYOR’S CHALLENGE
17.04.2026HNC is delighted to reveal that two students have recently been recognised at a special awards ceremony hosted following the completion of the Big Ideas Challenge. Launched by the Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, this saw young people from across the region apply to be part of a programme which invited them to develop new ideas which would help young people from across the region be happier and healthier.
David and Raymond were a team and developed an proposal about what young people wanted in the local area, submitting an idea about how young people needed more spaces where affordable and enjoyable sports activities were available. This was a two month process, seeing the team survey over 500 people, delivering video and face to face presentations about what young people wanted, and working with a mentor to shape and enhance their proposal.
The team were recognised at an end of project awards ceremony, winning the ‘Furthest Travelled’ award which recognises how they have listened to advice, been curious, and shown a desire to be innovative and work collaboratively with others to shape their idea. They also were runners up in the category of ‘Best Poster’ – see our gallery below for a copy.
David shares: “It has been a great experience and we’ve gained so much from the programme. We have learnt about research, and had the support of senior CEOs and business mentors who have helped us to really understand how professional business skills and strategies underpin ideas.”
Raymond adds: “Taking part has really increased my confidence, having presented to senior staff, I think it will definitely improve my employment prospects. It was amazing to see how being part of the project saw us shape our ideas, and it is possible that it will be used in the longer term to help young people in the area be happier and healthier.”
Catherine Cushnie, Assistant Principal comments: “We are so proud of David and Raymond who have committed to shaping a better future for others by taking part in this challenge. They have taken a problem they really care about and put huge amounts of effort to develop a fully researched solution. It has been wonderful to see them develop in confidence through collaborating with experts to shape their idea, and I am delighted they won the Furthest Travelled category.”
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