A group of teenagers will be hosting the 1V Awards Dinner in February.

Aisha Hussain will be the youngest host for the biggest community awards event in Blackburn.

Aisha, 13, will be joined by Zainab Hanslod, 15, Mustafa Ahmed, 15, and Zainab Ahmed, 15. They will be representing the various youth groups run by One Voice Blackburn.

The charity allows a young person to host the celebration, and the 2024 Awards Dinner will be the ninth time young people have taken to the stage.

One Voice Blackburn is a charity that aspires to create cohesive, aspirational and confident communities in Blackburn with Darwen. 

The quartet will be led by Pleckgate High School student Aisha Hussain, who is also part of the award-winning West End Girls (WEGs) group run by One Voice.

“I am extremely excited about being the youngest ever host for the 1V Awards Dinner. I feel confident and optimistic, and will ensure that I enjoy the experience,” says Aisha

1V Awards Dinner, sponsored by Together Housing and Newground Together, celebrates the achievements of individuals and groups in Blackburn with Darwen. 

Mustafa Ahmed is a student at Clitheroe Grammar High School, and is part of the East End Boys (EEBs), and 1V Sports.

“I am both excited and nervous at the same time. However, we are getting plenty of practice to ensure that everything goes really well on the night,” says Mustafa.

Zainab Ahmed is a Year 10 student at Pleckgate High School, and has been part of 1V Scouts since she was 8.

“I was really shocked to be asked to be part of the hosting team. I am really honoured, and I simply can’t wait for what promises to be an amazing evening.”

Public speaking is a key part of One Voice Blackburn’s youth offer with youngsters from the age of eight being prepared for speeches.

One Voice Blackburn Chief Executive, and event co-ordinator, Zaffer Khan is more than happy seeing young people hosting the Awards Dinner.

“Young people are at the front and centre of One Voice Blackburn so it is only right that they are centre-stage. This is a very young town with bristling talent among the young people. If the last decade of our event is anything to go by, they have performed brilliantly. It might surprise some, but this does not surprise me in the slightest. In fact, each year there is a very competitive process for the selection of the hosts. 

“The 2023 hosts Aleeza Isa and Alisha Seedat also got the opportunity to conduct the Blackburn Christmas Lights Switch On show a few months ago. These young people are both respected and revered.”

The four hosts join an illustrious list which includes: Sayeda Binte Ali, Zahra Ahmed, Safah Layla, Zainab Iqbal, Ayah Abdulsalam, Sifa Turi, Sara Hussain, Shahida Hafeji and Maya Khalid.