13 February 2025
Summary: Kara Davies awarded ‘Outstanding Contribution by a Community Champion delivering a project supporting Youth Work’ at the G15 Community Impact Awards.
We believe that young residents should play a central role in shaping the future of housing. That’s why we are proud to celebrate Kara Davies, a young MTVH resident who was awarded the ‘Outstanding Contribution by a Community Champion delivering a project supporting Youth Work’ at the G15 Community Impact Awards 2025.
Nominated by HACT, this award recognises Kara’s dedication to ensuring that young people’s voices are not just heard—but valued and embedded—within housing policy and decision-making. Her work, alongside fellow young residents, is helping to drive meaningful change in the sector.
On receiving the aware, Kara said: “I am truly honoured to have received the Youth Champion Award at the G15 community awards 2025 Ceremony on the 5th. A huge thank you to HACT for the nomination!
The event was both inspiring and uplifting, celebrating the incredible work of residents who are making a meaningful difference in their communities, alongside the housing associations that support them.
This award also belongs to the amazing peer researchers and colleagues who work with me on the Residents in Partnership project—thank you!”
As one of six young peer researchers Kara contributed to the Young Residents in Partnership project which explores the key question: How can young people take leadership roles in influencing strategy and decision-making in Housing Associations and impact local housing services? The work of these peer researchers led to the recently published Shaping Housing Futures Report, shares fresh insights into the challenges young residents face and how housing providers can better engage with them.
Kara has emerged as a powerful advocate for young residents, speaking at major housing events including NATFED Public Affairs and Policy conference, Housing Community Summit, Housing 2024, HACT Community Investment Conference, and London Housing Summit. These platforms have allowed her to share firsthand experiences and reinforcing the message that young people must be active participants in shaping housing policies.
As we celebrate Kara’s success, we remain committed to ensuring that all young residents have a voice in the decisions that affect their homes and communities.
In January 2025, MTVH Chief Executive, Mel Barrett, had the opportunity to meet with Kara and fellow MTVH resident and peer researcher, Beau, at our offices.
Mel said: “The report explores how young residents’ voices can shape and inform the work of housing associations and wider housing policy, and it was fantastic to speak to Kara and Beau about their involvement and ideas going forward. Having the chance to work with young people is always inspiring, and this meeting was no exception.”