The British Citizen Youth Award (BCyA) In association with Specsavers recognises individuals aged 18 and under, who positively impact others and highlight the positive aspects of communities, schools and places of education, community groups, charities and specific causes throughout the UK.
The British Citizen Youth Award, now in its ninth year, honoured 22 young people from across the UK on Thursday 30th October 2025. Each has made a positive impact on their communities or wider society. These selfless young people have shown kindness and commitment to a multitude of causes, raising funds and awareness, and are all dedicated to making a significant difference. Each inspirational young person was presented with the BCyA Medal of Honour at The Palace of Westminster and invited to use the post-nominals ‘BCyA’, as a legacy of their achievements and endeavours.
Hosting the event was TV presenter Tim Vincent who said ‘The BCyA Honours celebrate compassion, selflessness, grit and determination in the young people who are so deserving of their medal. I am delighted to be part of this celebration’.
Mackenzie Bird from Hampshire is one of the 2025 BCyA Roll of Honour Recipients.
A dedicated Youth Ambassador for Hampshire and Isle of Wight NHS Healthcare Trust, Mackenzie works closely with Children and Family Services on a range of projects to generate improvements. Mackenzie has lived experience and is able to help the local NHS Neurodiversity Service to improve the accessibility of the diagnosis reports that are sent out to families. Mackenzie helped redesign the emergency department at QA hospital and conducted a quality visit of the CAMHS liaison team, using her lived experience from her time in hospital.
Mackenzie also advocates the voice of youth and opportunities for young people in the community to have their voices heard around Portsmouth. As a Youth Ambassador for Motiv8, a local charity supporting young people with emotional and physical wellbeing, her first public speaking appearance took place at the Motiv8 Big Give Event 2023. She is also Chairperson of Portsmouth Youth Cabinet where she has provided a platform for young voices to be heard in key decision-making processes within the community.
Her input has also been valuable in helping the city conduct consultations with families and young people to understand what is needed to improve mental health access, support and services for children and young people.
The BCyA Medal of Honour is presented to only a small number of exceptional young individuals annually. The British Citizen Youth Award in partnership with Specsavers, is widely viewed as the nation’s way of recognising extraordinary, everyday young people for exceptional endeavour and is open to any person aged 18 or under who is committed to helping others.
In addition to the 22 individual medalists, one group of young people have been honoured with The Dame Mary Perkins British Citizen Group Award. This unique accolade is only open to groups of young people and the group were presented with an Official Presentation Plaque, Medal and Certificate of Honour.
“We are delighted to be able to recognise these amazing individuals with a BCyA. It is both heartening and uplifting to know that so many young people are consciously contributing to causes such as the environment, education, and creating awareness and fundraising for hospitals, medical research and charities. The youth of today are truly the leaders of tomorrow and we are humbled that BCyA Patron Dame Mary, founder of Specsavers, has put her name to the prestigious group accolade, enabling us to broaden its recognition of young people in society”, stated Mike Faulkner, Director of the BCyA.
