Wales' leading public affairs agency has scooped another prestigous award, taking home the 'Best Campaign in Wales' award at the annual Public Affairs Awards. Deryn won the title, judged by the leading lights in public affairs across the UK, for the second time in two years, for their collaboration with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Wales and their 'Not the Usual Suspects' Camapign.

The campaign included organising a hustings event aimed at first time voters between 16-25 ahead of the National Assembly for Wales Election in May 2016. Funded by the Erasmus programme, the objective was to host an event to inform young people about politics in an innovative and dynamic way. 

Taking place at the Infinity Trampoline Park and hosted by BBC Radio 1's Newsbeat Steffan Powell, the event saw representatives of all the main parties being grilled by 100 youngsters on issues that mattered to them - mental health issues, the legalisation of cannabis, economic policy and votes at 16.  

A market place for campaigning organisations and political parties allowed young people to hear more about the upcoming election, and follow up research showed that 70% had voted or become actively engaged in politcs and campaigning.

Cathy Owens, Director of Deryn, said

Winning the Public Affairs Award again has capped off another successful year of growth for Deryn, and I am so pleased that our team has been recognised for their creativity and innovation. 

We were thrilled when we were asked to get involved in the project, and have also been hugely impressed by the committment that the team at Boys and Girls Clubs of Wales bring to their work. 

We won the award last year for our work on new legislation to tackle violence against women in Wales, and I'm so proud that the work we do can have such a positive effect.

It is rare to see so much energy and enthusiasm at a pre-election event, and rarer still to see so many young people putting the politicians on the spot. The trampolining was fun too.

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