Our Big Ideas Programme National Final 2025 was an incredible day full of confidence, inspiration and passion! It was extra special this year as we presented the Jamie Baughan Award for Creative Courage for the very first time – in memory of someone who left an indelible mark on the Solutions for the Planet Family.
This year, we were back at our usual venue of The Houses of Parliament, where we were joined by 11 finalist teams who inspired the room with their Big Ideas throughout the day. The young people were joined by their supportive teachers, as well as their mentors from our business partners, including Tarmac, Northern Gas Networks, Cadent Gas, and IM Properties. We had 5 knowledgeable judges, including a programme alum, representatives from The Pipeline Industries Guild and Tarmac, a social justice advocate and a STEM-specialist. Throughout the day we welcomed Members of Parliament from up and down the country, who came along to cheer on their local teams. It really was a room full of energy and support for young people and sustainability!
Our judging panel this year was made up of:
Barry Hayward: Barry’s career has been in gas, biogas and water services, wind and solar power in the UK, across Europe and Japan! As of 2025 he is the Chair of our national partner The Pipeline Industries Guild and has introduced a programme to support young people.
Nusaybah Mannan: Nusaybah took part in the Big Ideas Programme in 2016, which shaped her passion for social impact and the charity sector. She now works at a national charity for older people, runs her own calligraphy business, and is on our own Youth Insights Panel.
Toby Pyper: Toby, representing our national partner Tarmac, has 30 years’ experience in the highways and airfield engineering sector. He’s passionate about developing young engineering talent and values a sustainable legacy, inspired by his two sons starting their careers.
Noorafasha Manga: Noorafasha is an engineer who currently works as an Apprenticeship Delivery Manager at London South Bank University where she helps people kick-start their careers in STEM. She represented Solutions for the Planet as she is also a Non-Executive Director on our Board.
Molly Taylor: Molly has been committed to tackling social injustice since she was 10 years old. She focuses on tackling youth loneliness and helping young people shape policies that affect their lives. She sits on various boards, works with the EU Delegation in the UK and is an #iwill Ambassador!
Now, for our Competition Award Winners…!
1st Place
Dipliflowcus from Perton Middle School
Their Big Idea was an energy making dinosaur that has three types of renewable energy attached to it: solar, wind turbines and hydroelectric.
2nd Place
Meating Halfway from Oxclose Academy
Their Big Idea was a 50/50 blend of real meat and plant–based protein, offering the taste and texture of traditional meat with half the environmental impact—healthier, sustainable, and planet-friendly.
3rd Place
Maternal Minds from The Halifax Academy
Their Big Idea was a prenatal Health Kit to help reduce infant mortality in Sub Saharan Africa.
And, here are our 2025 Special Award Winners…
The Barker Award for Presentation Prowess
Ship Valley from Mulberry Academy Woodside
Transforming unused shipping containers into portable homes, this campaign offers affordable, comfortable shelters for the homeless, complete with everyday luxuries.
The Schofield Award for Solutions Spirit
Eco Sublime from Hadley Learning Community
Creating flood defences, recycling flood water into drinking
water for those with damaged infrastructure, repurposing
plastic waste into flood solutions, and deploying wave
machines to counteract floods.
The Jamie Baughan Award for Creative Courage
War Waste Warriors from Fullhurst Community College
A service to collect materials from warzones both to clean the area and to recycle the materials present which can be sold to raise money for the war torn communities.
