The Joshua Ribera Achievement Awards was set up by Alison Cope after losing her son Joshua to knife crime in 2013. Joshua was a young man who struggled in many areas of his life, but with support and love managed to turn it all around and become a positive and successful role model to many. Since losing her son Alison has spoken to over 800,000 young people sharing Joshua's devastating story to raise awareness around knife crime, inspiring young people to think about their choices and not to give up when facing difficulties.

While delivering in alternative education providers Alison met young people who had experienced a wide range of situations ranging from child abuse, neglect, trauma, being a young carer and experiencing mental health issues. All these adverse situations had led their behaviour to deteriorate and for them to lose their place in mainstream school.

Some of these young people excelled in alternative education provisions achieving academic success and personal development. The teachers and support staff do an amazing job helping these young people achieve their full potential.

In some cases, once a young person is in alternative education, they miss out on the opportunities available to those in mainstream school for example end of year trips, the school prom, work experience and award evenings.

The Joshua Ribera Achievement Awards is to celebrate the achievements of the young people who sometimes are forgotten and in Alison's opinion deserve to have their achievements celebrated.

Alison Cope: "These young people have been through so much, their negative experiences have had a detrimental effect on their ability to cope with mainstream education, it is our job to show these young people that past mistakes do not need to determine their future. The awards evening is a community event, the young people, their families, their teachers all come together proud and ready for the next phase of their life"

The Joshua Ribera Achievement Awards has taken place in 2018 and 2020 so far celebrating the success of 44 young people.

Covid 19 has made it difficult for Alison to fundraise or to apply for funding for the event but is proud to announce Sandwell College and The Princes Trust are the main sponsors of this years event. The event will be held at The Birmingham Conference and Events Centre on the 5h of February 2022 and will be attended by 280 people including young people, families, youth organisations and the police, The West Midlands PCC Simon Foster and the West Midlands Mayor Andy Street.

The winners for this years event are:                                

Faris Charley - The Millpool Centre, City of Birmingham School

Favour Ozidede - The Braybrook Centre

Caleb Hay - The Midpoint Centre

Millie Lea Smith - JP Alternative Education

Finley Nation - Bailey Street AP Academy

Thomas Ellwood - The Bridge Centre

Harley Thomas - The Edge Academy

Noah Lawton - Marywood Centre, City of Birmingham School

Mohammed Hussnain - The Millpool Centre, City of Birmingham School

Jaiden Smith - The Braybrook Centre

Porsche Mazan -The Midpoint Centre

Shane Power -  JP Alternative Education

Kalum Sanders - Bailey Street AP Academy

Isaac Harrison - The Bridge Centre

Jayden Msyk - The Edge Academy

Ellie Taylor - The Prince’s Trust

Blake Bentley - The Prince’s Trust

Kyron Ward - Link Centre, City of Birmingham School