Rutland Honors Care-Experienced Youth at Gala Awards
By Rutland Local Democracy Reporter Saturday 20th December 2025
The extraordinary resilience and talent of Rutland’s young people took center stage last week at the third annual Celebration of Success, an evening dedicated to honoring children in care and care leavers who have gone above and beyond in their personal and academic lives.
The event, held on December 10 at Oakham School, saw the local community come together to applaud the achievements of a demographic that often faces significant hurdles. With 75 nominations across categories such as Education, Sport, and Kindness, the evening served as a powerful testament to what young people can achieve with the right support.
The ceremony was attended by the county's highest dignitaries, including Lord-Lieutenant of Rutland Dr. Sarah Furness and High Sheriff Richard Chesterfield. The atmosphere was one of joy and high energy, fueled by a soulful performance from the De Montfort University Gospel Choir.
The proceedings were led by Matt Smith of Smash Life and Sally-Ann from the Rutland Virtual School, who shared the stage to present the coveted awards.
One of the most talked-about moments of the night was a surprise showreel featuring messages of encouragement from national sporting icons. Olympic legend Fatima Whitbread MBE, along with England and Leicester City midfielder Harry Winks, sent personal video tributes to the nominees.
Several Leicester Tigers players also joined in, offering words of wisdom on perseverance and hard work messages that resonated deeply with the young audience.
Beyond the trophies, the event highlighted the critical work of the Rutland Virtual School, which acts as a "corporate parent" and educational champion for children in care.
"On behalf of everyone at Rutland County Council, I would like to congratulate all the incredible young people who were nominated," said Cllr Tim Smith, Cabinet Member for Children and Families. "Their achievements and the example they set to all of us are truly remarkable."
Among the evening's special honors was the Pineapple Award. Unique to this ceremony, the winner is chosen by SUSO (Speak Up, Step Out), a group of young people in care who nominate a staff member from Rutland Children’s Services for exceptional support.
The Council used the platform to announce a new initiative for 2026. Building on the success of the awards, the Virtual School will launch a dedicated podcast in January. The project aims to give care-experienced youth a platform to share their lived experiences in their own words, ensuring their voices continue to be heard long after the awards ceremony ends.
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