2026 Young Activist of the Year Award

Nominations for the 2026 Young Activist of the Year Award are open all year round.

Please use the forms on the right/below to make as many nominations as you want.

The Award

The Eamonn O’Kane Young Activist of the Year Award was created to:

  • encourage activism amongst young members;

  • recognise and celebrate the outstanding contribution of young members to the work of the NASUWT;

  • provide award winners with opportunities to broaden and develop their knowledge and experience of the NASUWT and the wider trade union movement.

The criteria

The nominee will have been successful in one or more of the areas listed below:

  • heightened the NASUWT’s profile;

  • promoted the work of the NASUWT;

  • increased the membership of the NASUWT;

  • organised members in a workplace or wider constituency;

  • promoted trade union activism in a workplace or wider constituency;

  • delivered identifiable benefits to members and/or the NASUWT as an organisation.

Cassie Jones, Durham

2025 Young Activist of the Year Award

The Young Activist of the Year Award was presented at Annual Conference 2025 to Cassie Jones.

Cassie has been an active member of the Durham Association since 2022 and plays an important part in the Association’s Executive Committee, attending monthly meetings as well as local and regional events to represent the union.

Cassie is also a member of the NASUWT’s Young Members Advisory Committee, helping to shape the union’s campaign for a better deal for young teachers nationally.

As a supply teacher she champions the NASUWT in every school she works in.

Kira Chan, Middlesbrough

2024 Young Activist of the Year Award

The Young Activist of the Year Award was presented at Annual Conference 2024 to Kira Chan.

Kira is a brilliant, proactive workplace rep who gives advice, guidance and support to her members on a daily basis.

She has been elected association President, having been an active member of the local executive for nearly three years and is an active participant in the Union’s national equalities consultation conferences.

Kira is a role model for young teachers locally and nationally on how being a good teacher and a good trades unionist are two sides of the same coin.