Making a Difference: Why Harvey is Our Local Hero

We are absolutely bursting with pride to announce that Harvey, a dedicated volunteer at our Willington Quay Kids Club, has been nominated for a BBC Make a Difference Award in the Young Hero category!

At just 15 years old, Harvey is already proving that age is no barrier to making an impact. Recently, he even stepped outside his comfort zone to chat with Anna Foster at BBC Radio Newcastle about his journey.

For over two years, Harvey has spent his Thursday nights bringing creativity and compassion to our 5–11-year-olds. As our Community Lead, Leoni, puts it:

A lot of 15-year-old boys would not be giving their time up every Thursday. When Harvey enters the room, you know about it because all the kids light up.

It’s no exaggeration to say Harvey receives what Anna Foster called “Hero Worship” from the younger members. Whether he’s leading an activity or simply making sure every child feels included, his infectious energy is the heartbeat of the club.

While Harvey admits that without the YMCA, he might spend his time “bored,” his impact goes much deeper. He genuinely loves making people happy, and that passion shines through in everything he does.

Leoni sees a bright future ahead for him, noting that Harvey has all the makings of a fantastic professional youth worker. We couldn’t agree more—without his smile and energy, Kids Club wouldn’t be the same.