Mayor meets award-winning young performing arts champion

Elizabeth Downes, 16, was announced as a winner of the West Midlands Lieutenancy’s Young Active Citizen Award, recognising her work to inspire and support other young people in the performing arts.

As a young leader of the Hurst Hill Performers group, Coseley resident Elizabeth has worked hard to produce several shows to raise money for local charities.

She has also acted as a mentor to other aspiring performers, helping her peers to develop their self-esteem and confidence both in front of an audience and in their personal lives.

Councillor Hilary Bills welcomed Elizabeth and her parents to the Mayor’s parlour at the Council House to celebrate her recognition.

They were joined by her director at Hurst Hill Performers, Kate Thomas, who nominated Elizabeth for the Young Active Citizen Award as a surprise after watching her support younger castmates to conquer their stage fright.

Councillor Hilary Bills, the Mayor of Dudley, said:

Elizabeth has done incredibly well to win a prestigious, region-wide award, uplifting her fellow performers and raising money for good causes.

Her passion for performing shines through and this wonderful achievement shows the real power of the arts to inspire and bring people together.

It brings me a great deal of pride to hear about the accomplishments of our borough’s young people, particularly those who are so dedicated to helping others.

Elizabeth Downes said:

I feel so privileged to have received this award – it’s an incredible honour!

I am so grateful I am able to help young people grow, not only in their dancing abilities but also with their confidence.

Melissa and Craig Downes, Elizabeth’s mum and dad, said:

We’re immensely proud of Elizabeth and we’ve both cried many happy tears as a result of this amazing award.

It’s a great honour for her to be recognised by the lieutenancy and a shining light amid all the negativity that you hear about younger people.

Kate Thomas, director of Hurst Hill Performers, said:

Elizabeth truly deserves her award and I was delighted to nominate her.

It’s not just about her ability when she performs, it’s the way she interacts with her fellow group members. It makes our job as leaders easy. Every child in the group was so proud to hear that she had won.

The Young Active Citizen Award is organised by the West Midlands Lieutenancy, who are the King’s ceremonial representatives in the county.

The award acknowledges the outstanding contributions of young people to their communities and celebrates ordinary people doing extraordinary things.

More information on the award is available on the West Midlands Lieutenancy website.