STAFF at the ASHA Centre in the Forest have been nominated by the British Council for a European award.

The centre has been praised for its outstanding work with young people with backgrounds in institutional care; be it children's homes, orphanages or foster homes.

The nomination follows after their ASHA's 2011 Youth Exchange "Acting it Out" was put forward by the British Council, as an outstanding project by a UK organisation and subsequently, shortlisted by the European Commission for an award of excellence.

The ceremony will take place in Brussels between May 29 and June 1, where ASHA will be sending a youth representative and the centre's director, Adrian Locher.

Adrian Locher, who has a background in theatre, said: "It is an honour for ASHA to be the only UK organisation nominated for an award in the EU active citizens category.

"This illustrates the outstanding work that ASHA does with young people from Britain and across the world. The objective of the project was to empower young people from institutional care by tackling issues and areas, in which they are subject to exclusion and risk.

"We explored the various issues of becoming an adult: work, further education, relationships and independent living. We identified and developed skills needed to overcome social obstacles and prepared them for taking responsibility and becoming fully independent. We used drama, improvisation, physical theatre, forum theatre, audio-visual arts and performance. They responded very well to these drama methods, as their untackled issues, as well as the solutions, could be 'acted out' in a real and lively way."

The founder of the ASHA Centre, Zerbanoo Gifford said: "I am thrilled at the brilliant news that ASHA is now being acknowledged for its pioneering work with the young. I am tired of hearing politicians talk about the youth being 'the future'. In fact, young people were often totally disregarded and those in care subjected to the most horrific conditions which only now are being exposed and challenged.

"I helped set up the ASHA Centre so that Britain could take the lead in the way we take care of our young and give them the best start in life that everyone, regardless of their background, deserves."