By Jess Lord & Helen Bailey

Copyright bbc

Unity Gym Project, based in Broomhall in Sheffield, were the recipients of the Community Group award.

Osman Jama, 28, first attended the gym when he was 13. At the time he was struggling at school, having been excluded multiple times.

“Saeed (the Unity Gym Project founder) helped me, he advocated for me in school – he helped me get back into mainstream education,” he said.

“Unity Gym is my home. It’s my safe haven.”

He is now head of strength and conditioning and is also a mentor and youth worker.

“I want to provide the same opportunities that I was given, to others.”

The charity was set up in 2010 and seeks to engage with vulnerable young adults who don’t access mainstream services. The group encourages them to make positive life choices and improve their health and wellbeing.

In 2024 they worked with 1,600 individuals.