Trailblazing LGBT+ volunteers honoured at the Just Like Us Ambassador Awards

Just Like Us ambassadors, volunteers who work tirelessly to promote allyship in schools and improve the lives of LGBT+ pupils, were honoured at the Just Like Us Ambassador Awards on Thursday 7 August.

The central London event was attended by Just Like Us ambassadors from across the UK, as well as Married At First Sight star and campaigner Ella Morgan and author and actor Harry Trevaldwyn.

Throughout the 2024/25 academic year, Just Like Us ambassadors have delivered 335 school talks across the UK, providing essential representation and sharing their stories of growing up LGBT+ with 57,931 school pupils.

Find out about our Just Like Us Ambassador Awards winners below:

Rising Star: Phoebe Constantine

The Rising Star award goes to an ambassador who began volunteering within the last year. Phoebe joined the Ambassador Programme in November 2024 and has already made an extraordinary impact. She’s delivered 19 school talks, appeared in media interviews, and supported several events panels.  She brings an abundance of enthusiasm to everything she does and has become a powerful spokesperson for LGBT+ youth.

Community Champion: Liv Hennessey and Lav Breen

This year, for the first time ever, Just Like Us celebrated two Community Champion winners, who show huge compassion for others through their volunteering. Liv is known for their joy, kindness, and this year they ran a webinar for their fellow ambassadors, and established Queer Midlands, a community of Midlands-based ambassadors. Lav has stepped in at short notice for talks, mentored new ambassadors, and is always a supportive and wise presence in the community. He was described by other ambassadors as “a pillar for this community and a ray of sunshine”.

Hero of the Year: Jack Littlefair

Jack has consistently gone above and beyond, stepping in last-minute to ensure no school is left without LGBT+ representation when other volunteers have had to pull out. His reliability, kindness and commitment have been vital to Just Like Us’ mission.

Volunteer of the Year: Scout Dragon

Described as a “powerhouse,” Scout has represented Just Like Us at multiple events, written media articles, and delivered 17 school talks, all with dedication and passion. Scout’s dedication to Just Like Us has been inspiring, both as a vocal advocate for LGBT+ inclusion and as a supportive member of the ambassador community.

School Talks Champion: Rhys Bevan and Lucas Heyburn-Sheerin

Between them, Rhys and Lucas have delivered an astonishing 41 school talks this academic year, reaching more than 8,000 pupils. They have stood in front of thousands of pupils and shared their experiences of growing up LGBT+, answered questions from pupils and empowered all students to be incredible allies. They have also acted as real mentors to newer ambassadors when they deliver talks for the first time.

Mentor of the Year: Vicky Thorburn

Through the Just Like Us mentor scheme, ambassadors are matched with mentors who aid their development as they enter the workforce. Just Like Us mentors volunteer to support LGBT+ young people by sharing their experience, and building their mentee’s confidence in their capabilities, identities and prospects.

This year, the Just Like Us Mentor of the Year award was taken home by Vicky Thorburn, and presented by her mentee Niamh McClean. Niamh said: “Having a degree in engineering I was used to the male-dominated workforce, but still was quite hesitant in being my true self. Vix was such a breath of fresh air in terms of someone who was very openly themselves in the work environment and willing to help me find that confidence in myself and my abilities.

“Overall Vix has been instrumental in my professional development, offering guidance and support that has significantly benefited my early career experience in my industry.”

Ambassador of the Year: Bronwyn Riani

The Ambassador of the Year award goes to an ambassador in their final year of the programme. After seven years as an ambassador, Bronwyn has reached over 3,000 pupils and supported the programme in countless ways. Bronwyn is a pillar of the ambassador community, a supportive and encouraging presence, bringing humour and joy. As she leaves the programme and embarks on a new career, there is no doubt that she will continue to be an outstanding champion for LGBT+ education.

The Just Like Us Ambassador Awards were generously hosted by Travers Smith.

Just Like Us runs training for new ambassadors throughout the year. If you’re LGBT+ and 18 to 25, sign up now to hear about the next training event near you.