West Sussex County Council brought together young people, carers and community members on Saturday for a special EPIC Awards ceremony at Ashington Community Centre.
The Exceptional People in Care (EPIC) Awards recognise the talents, achievements and resilience of young people in care and kinship care, as well as the important role played by carers, families and supporting adults.
At Saturday’s event, awards were presented across a range of categories, including Big Thinkers, Big Talents, Big Hearts and Big Strength, alongside awards recognising carers and supportive adults. These categories reflect academic progress, personal talents, acts of kindness, and the resilience shown in overcoming challenges.
The event was attended by around 20 young people along with their guests, plus connected carers and foster carers, as well as council staff and councillors, coming together to celebrate the inspiring achievements of those nominated. All nominees were recognised for their accomplishments, reinforcing the message at the heart of the EPIC Awards that every young person’s success deserves to be celebrated.
The ceremony also included a variety of activities to make the day memorable and fun for attendees, with opportunities to socialise, take part in interactive experiences and enjoy a celebratory atmosphere.
One award winner said: “It was amazing to win this award. I nearly fainted it was such a brilliant experience. I’ve really enjoyed today. It’s felt very special and all the activities, like the picture booth, have been really fun.”
Adrian Dyka, Service Director- Corporate Parenting at West Sussex County Council said: "The EPIC Awards are a wonderful opportunity to recognise and celebrate the incredible achievements of children and young people in our care, as well as the dedication of the adults who support them. We are immensely proud of everyone who was nominated and took part in this special event.”
The EPIC Awards, organised by WSCC’s Voice and Participation team alongside young people, continue to play a vital role in highlighting success, raising aspirations and celebrating the contributions of children in care and their support networks across the county.
