Ellie Tapley
Ellie Tapley volunteers three times each week to help train aspiring musical theatre performers alongside attending classes herself.
The 16-year-old arrives at Rooftop Studios in Leek at 8.45am every Saturday morning to volunteer with three- to six-year-olds. She spends Saturday afternoons in her own classes.
She returns on Tuesdays after school to volunteer with ballet and tap groups and on Fridays to volunteer at aerial classes, alongside her own additional classes two evenings each week.
Ellie, who lives in the Staffordshire Moorlands, has kept her volunteering going throughout her GCSE exams and aspires to open her own performing arts studio one day to work with disadvantaged children. She wants to show that arts are accessible for all and possibly do some work on the stage or within the media herself first.
She has been nominated in the Future Star category of the Your Heroes Awards by her proud mum, Nicky Tapley.
Nicky said: “Ellie has volunteered every Saturday morning for over four years, since the age of 12. Then she goes and does her own classes so is there most of the day on Saturday doing what she loves.
“She was asked at a young age to help as the studio could see her ability with younger pupils. They have really helped her blossom and grow into a beautiful, confident young lady. I am very grateful to the studio staff for giving her this opportunity.
“She goes to the studio when many others sleep, sets up the classes for the teachers, and assists running the performing arts classes. The children adore her.
“She does this all for free and is amazing at it. So much so, in this last year she has also been asked to assist in two other classes a week which is more than five hours a week volunteering whilst still completing her own classes and also this year her GCSEs too.”
Ellie has volunteered at day camps during the summer and may now go on to study performing arts.
Nicky said: “Beyond the hours she contributes, she serves as an excellent role model for other young people. She really tries to demonstrate that age is no barrier to making a meaningful impact and inspire others to become involved in their community through their actions.
“None of her friends can understand why he volunteers and isn’t after gaining money or even partying. But she sees past financial gain and looks at it in a different way. She’s even got her sister helping out some Saturdays too now and teaching her the importance of helping others and the skills you get when you do this.
“She is very good at all she does and has a real drive to help others and form connections through the performing arts sector. Rooftop Studios Leek has more than 300 students and she loves being a part of it. They perform in various locations and have the Frozen show coming up in November performing at the Mitchell Arts Centre in Hanley.”
Nicky added: “She makes us very proud very single day with her commitment and dedication to her volunteering and Rooftop Studios.”
Mia Howard
At the age of just 19 Mia Howard has launched her own business, supported a charity with pro bono work and is currently awaiting the results of a Legal Services T-Level at Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group.
Alongside her studies, Mia has launched and grown her own nail technician business into a profitable venture, building a loyal client base while balancing full-time education and her career in recruitment.
Her T-Level studies have included an industry placement with Newcastle-under-Lyme-based recruitment agency Recruitment Robin.
Selina Rudzik, Managing Director of Recruitment Robin, says Mia is set apart not just by her participation in the workplace but by the level of responsibility she has earned and the measurable impact she delivers.
She said: “Through her determination and professionalism, Mia has progressed from supporting recruitment activities to independently managing full recruitment campaigns.
“Mia now advertises vacancies, screens candidates, manages recruitment pipelines, coordinates interviews and supports clients throughout the hiring process.
“In one recent project, she independently managed a pipeline of 12 candidates, coordinated the recruitment process and successfully supported the placement of a candidate from her shortlist, demonstrating accountability and the ability to deliver tangible commercial results.”
Mia has independently managed a full pro-bono recruitment project for the charity Emmaus North Staffs, overseeing candidate shortlisting and end-to-end coordination. Through her work she saved the charity around 20 hours of administrative and screening time and several thousand pounds in recruitment fees, while still delivering a high-quality hiring outcome.
John Webbe, Executive Lead at Emmaus North Staffs, said: “Mia personally managed the shortlisting process and added a great deal of value to our recruitment cycle. Her work saved us significant time and helped us secure a strong appointment.”
Having overcome significant personal and educational challenges, Mia has embraced every opportunity to develop. With mentoring from Selina Rudzik she has grown from quietly observing business networking events to confidently presenting to more than 30 local business professionals.
Selina added: “Mia’s journey is a powerful testament to resilience and professional growth. She has evolved from a reserved student into a proactive team member who takes ownership of opportunities and constantly seeks ways to grow. She has overcome significant personal and educational hurdles to become a vital part of our team and we are incredibly proud to see her progressing to Aston University as a capable, confident professional.”
Mia’s outstanding contribution during her placement has led to Recruitment Robin continuing to work with her following its successful completion, enabling her to further develop her career alongside her university studies at Aston University.
Selina has nominated Mia in the Future Star category of the Your Heroes Awards.
Libbie Joyce
At the age of just 18 Libbie Joyce is training to become a world champion in two sports, coaches juniors and last year became Race Director for the first Spartan Kids European Championships.
Libbie, from Lichfield, has juggled her sporting commitments alongside completing sixth form despite being told at the start of high school that she may not pass any qualifications due to her severe dyslexia.
What began as a childhood passion at the age of eight quickly became a platform for Libbie to inspire others. She has spent years helping juniors enter the world of obstacle racing, acting as a mentor, motivator and role model to countless young athletes.
Libbie became the first ever British Junior Champion, followed by the title of Spartan European Champion and at just 14 years old she stepped into the elite racing category, competing against adults at the highest level.
Now at 18 she races at global elite level in Spartan and has earned a place on Team UK for Skyrunning for the past two years, representing her country at the World Championships.
Libbie volunteers as a coach for children, nurturing the next generation of athletes. Last year she became the Race Director for the first Spartan Kids European Championships and this year she has stepped into the role of Junior Race Director for DEKA, continuing to shape and elevate youth participation in the sport. She is also the captain for the UK Spartan team.
Libbie has been nominated in the Future Star and Sporting Icon categories of the Your Heroes Awards by her proud mum, Katie Joyce.
Katie said: “Libbie is one of the most dedicated, inspiring and quietly trailblazing young athletes the UK has produced in obstacle racing and mountain running.
“What makes Libbie’s journey even more remarkable is the adversity she has overcome. Libbie is severely dyslexic and was predicted not to pass any exams when she started high school. Through sheer determination and balancing intense training with her studies she not only passed her exams but stayed on for sixth form. She has proven that barriers can be broken with resilience, belief and relentless effort.
“Her impact extends far beyond her own racing career. Libbie is now training to become a world champion in two sports, all while uplifting others, giving her time freely and showing young people and especially those with learning challenges that nothing is out of reach.
“Libbie embodies what it means to be a Sporting Icon: talent, humility, leadership, resilience and a commitment to inspiring others. Her achievements are extraordinary, but her character is what truly sets her apart.
“This last year been even harder with losing her coach to cancer. Jack was only 36 but she’s still trying and still keeps going for what they have started. She is a role model not just for young athletes but for anyone who has ever been told they can’t.”
Libbie has just completed BTEC qualifications in science, sport and media and hopes to combine a job in sports coaching alongside her own training and competing.
She said: “It’s my love of the sport and having the opportunity to be around people competing at different levels that keeps me going.
“It’s really, really exciting that I’ve been nominated for a Your Heroes Award.”