A youth group has won a national award for its work in battling hate crime and bullying over the past six years.

Following on from its success, KentOnline visited Gifted Young Gravesham (GYG) to meet the teenagers spearheading campaigns to make real change for their generation.

Ellie Burns, 17, is the chairman of the GYG youth committee which allows youngsters across the borough to discuss what is important to them and gives them a voice.

She has been leading awareness campaign Report It! to stamp out hate crime and bullying in schools and the wider community.

The committee got all secondary schools in Gravesham together to help educate pupils on the importance of reporting incidents to teachers, youth workers, trusted adults and the police.

The Mayfield Grammar School student said: "It has been a long process and it was not just us. It was previous committees who did not get the recognition. It is amazing what we have created.

"It is important that everyone should be treated fairly and if they do experience hate they are listened to rather than being left to deal with something they should not have to in the first place.

"It is only going to change if people are willing to report it. I think it will always be an issue unless people step in and report it.

"It is really amazing to get all the head teachers involved and seeing such the leaders of our schools bee on board.

"I think a lot of people more willing to report a hate crime when they know they have someone to go to like a head teacher."

Since 2017, the youth committee has worked with police to discuss how and why young people were not reporting hate crimes which led to a review by officers on how they reach communities.

They also met Prince Harry in London last year to discuss the impact of social media on young people’s lives and have hosted festivals to talk about these issues.

As part of the Report It! campaign, the committee worked with Gravesend filmaker Pierre Jermaine to produce a short video which included five categories of hate crime.

It was shown in schools alongside other resources including interviews with young people who have experienced bullying or hate crime to discuss differences, foster understanding and respect.

Ellie said: "It needs to go beyond Gravesham. People do not want to report it because they think it will not be believed or action taken.

"It is nice to know we have been able to help some people but it is always going to be a big thing, it will always be something to work on."

Deputy chairman of the youth committee, Liam Barden, 15, added: "I think some young people do not understand how much impact a hate crime can have on a young person.

"And if they can see that, those doing it might stop. It is really important to speak about what a hate crime is and how it impacts someone's life. As well as reporting it.

"Hate crime is not really seen as a big deal. It is often pushed to the side but it is a serious thing. We want to make sure people know that and they can tell people and everyone can feel safe."

Following the year-long campaign, GYG sent out questionnaires to every secondary school student in the borough to see if and what they have learnt from it.

They have had thousands of responses and Liam said he has already seen a change in attitude as more people said they would report hate crime if they came across it.

Although this is positive news, the year 11 student at Saint George's Church of England School said there is still more that the group can and want to do to keep campaigning for change.

Senior youth work manager Jackie Coupar added: "GYG’s work started with many young people feeling that they did not have a voice and were not important.

"You are making a difference and your voice is heard. Our work in tackling hate crime will not stop here."

The youth group won the Sylvia Lancaster Upstander Award at the NO2H8t Crime Award ceremony in London for their work which "recognises those individuals or organisations that work to support young people who are at risk, to divert those who may be a risk to others or promote inclusive, safe communities".

GYG was set up in 2008 to help young people develop skills for their future, support their mental health and wellbeing and being a space to explore the arts.

Ms Coupar said: "It is about providing that space where a young person can come and be comfortable. We want to get them through the door. It is like a family here.

"School is not always a good place for somebody so we offer another space for them."

The group operates at the Gravesend Methodist Church community centre in Wilfred Street and offers a host of free activities for adults and young people.

These include dance, acting, singing, hair and beauty and exercise classes and free counselling sessions which are all run by trained professionals. They also run a yearly show.

Ms Coupar stressed the importance of provisions like this as a lifeline for young people. She added: "A lot of people also cannot afford to go or access activities like what we provide.

"I think now more than ever families need free activities for their children to get involved in. The cost of living now, it is absolutely needed and it should continue."