Selfless teenager who teaches children to dance and wants to inspire the next generation wins award

An inspirational young woman who has overcome adversity and dedicates countless hours to teaching dance classes for children and youth politics has been recognised with an award.

Dancing for most of her life, Lydia Yates, 17, is an integral part of Leah’s Dance Studio in St Ann’s where she is a role model teacher, senior dancer, and mentor.

Lydia said:

“The friends and family that you create through dance is the reason I stuck with it. Then there’s the enjoyment of dancing, which I really like."

Not content with just one style of dance, Lydia has extended her talents to ballet, competitive freestyle, rock ‘n’ roll, street dance, ballroom, Latin, cheerleading and musical theatre.

“It’s a way to keep fit,” Lydia added. “But also a way to socialise and make friends and have fun. I really enjoy watching the competitions too.”

A keen dancer herself, Lydia uses her free time to teach, lead dance classes for children, and run holiday clubs alongside taking part in competitions.

After being nominated by mum Leah, Lydia has been awarded this year’s Young Leader of the Year Award, which recognises a young person who is leading by example and is a role model to their peers through student, sport, or youth work.

The award forms part of the Live Our Best Live Awards – launched by Nottinghamshire Police in 2021 to shine a light on the inspiring work of young people across the county.

After overcoming harassment from her peers at school, Lydia took the initiative to advocate for the rights of fellow pupils and challenged inappropriate behaviour.

Inspired by the novel Moxie, which follows a female student’s fight to improve women’s rights on the school campus, Lydia contacted a Nottingham MP to raise her concerns over the monitoring of absences where vulnerable students are absent from school due to harassment.

“School was a very hard time for me, and I lost friends in the process of speaking up, but not much changed, which is why I want to be an MP and change it for future generations,” Lydia said.

The MP has since taken Lydia’s concerns to parliament where they are now campaigning for an improved system.

Lydia regularly participates in Gedling Borough Council’s Youth Council and has received a personal invitation to attend the Houses of Parliament on a work experience placement in recognition of her passion for politics and debate.

“Visiting the Houses of Parliament was a really good experience,” Lydia said. “It wasn’t just photocopying or making teas, I got to go to all the meetings and briefings with Lilian and see the things you don’t see in the media, TV and online.”

Leah Yates, Lydia’s mum, said:

“If I could get up on the rooftops and shout about Lydia’s achievements I would! I’m really proud of her.

“I’ve always been conscious not to push her into something I enjoy, but she has blossomed and found her own passions.

“She is an inspiration to everybody. All those little ones that are coming up love her to bits.

“She often has kids clinging to her legs - they want to be like her, dance like her, be her partner; they idolise her. She is a good role model and I’m happy for my two younger daughters to look up to her.”