Life-saving medical kits, changing national policy and volunteering — the remarkable stories behind the West Midlands’ top young heroes
Midlands: An activist who took her fight against youth violence from the streets of Wolverhampton all the way to the Houses of Parliament has been shortlisted for a major regional honour.
Sienna Ahir, a former Wolverhampton Youth MP, is a finalist for the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner’s Outstanding Young Citizen Award. Sienna has dedicated her young years to tackling knife crime and exploitation, founding Daggers Down – a powerful, youth-led safety campaign that is actively installing life-saving equipment across the region.
Through her relentless advocacy and fundraising – which even included completing a gruelling sprint triathlon – Sienna has successfully delivered tangible safety interventions and national policy changes, including:
Life-saving medical kits: Successfully deploying 12 publicly accessible bleed control kits across the region, including at Birmingham New Street Station.
National political influence: Serving on the UK Parliament’s Youth Select Committee and leading a high-profile inquiry into the links between social media and youth violence.
Educational outreach: Partnering with schools, the British Transport Police and the Violence Reduction Partnership to deliver vital first aid, exploitation and knife crime awareness assemblies.
West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster praised her leadership. He said: “Sienna is a fantastic example of the difference young people can make when they have the opportunity to lead, volunteer and stand up for their communities.”
Dedicated volunteer recognised for selfless public service
Also shortlisted for the Outstanding Young Citizen Award is 18-year-old Reice James, below, who has spent a third of his life volunteering. Rising to Deputy Head Cadet during his time with the West Midlands Police Cadets, Reice now serves his community as a St John Ambulance Community First Aider and Emergency Responder.
His multi-faceted service spans campaigning for men’s health, mentoring youth and volunteering with Sandwell Council – efforts that have earned him both the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and King’s Coronation medals.
The final winner will be announced at the Outstanding Citizens’ Awards on Monday, September 28, 2026, at the Coventry Boys and Girls Club.
