Earlier this month, Exmoor Young Voices (EYV) received the prestigious King’s Award for Voluntary Service in recognition of their work supporting self-build homes for young people UK. This unique project tackles housing challenges in rural communities by empowering young people to build affordable homes where they live and love.
Held at Dulverton Town Hall, the celebration brought together EYV members, community supporters, and local dignitaries to recognise the impact of their grassroots work tackling housing and rural inequality.
The event, compered by EYV founder Leslie Silverlock, included a powerful film and photo presentation showcasing the group’s pilot self-build housing project, narrated by Megan Hunt and Josh Smith, two of the young voices involved. EYV Coordinator Megan Hunt was recognised for her pivotal role in transforming the group’s reach and impact, alongside trustees who provide vital behind-the-scenes support.
The Lord-Lieutenant of Somerset praised EYV’s energy, vision, and collaborative spirit, highlighting the need for more action to ensure young people in extra-rural areas like Exmoor aren’t ‘rarer than the Exmoor pony.’
Following the award ceremony, EYV representatives attended a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace, celebrating alongside other award recipients and catching a glimpse of Prince William and Princess Catherine!
We’re proud to have played a small part in their journey by offering financial support through our loan scheme. These young people are not only building homes, they’re building hope, inspiration, and a brighter future for rural communities.
While this was a unique project, we’re committed to supporting more self-build homes and affordable housing solutions for young people across the UK. Check what financial support is accessible in your area and see if you’re eligible. Explore our loan scheme to learn how we’re working with councils and communities to make rural housing more accessible.
Want to know more?
Read about EYV’s inspiring self-build journey here: Building Dreams: An Inspiring Exmoor Self-Build Journey
We recommend carrying out an independent retrofit assessment to determine which improvements may be suitable for your property, circumstances and budget.
