BBC Young Reporters share their stories

The twelve BBC Young Reporter Competition Finalists

Experiencing the menopause whilst still a teenager, being a sign language DJ, and supporting a parent with an addiction - these are just a few of the powerful personal stories young people have been sharing with the BBC as part of the BBC Young Reporter Competition.

Twelve finalists, aged between 11 and 18, have been selected from over 1500 entries from across the UK to have their stories broadcast across the BBC.

Entries were judged by BBC editors, journalists and presenters including Tina Daheley, Clive Myrie, Nikki Fox, Kamal Ahmed, Ricky Boleto and Alex Jones.

The finalists have been working with BBC journalists and producers to hone their storytelling skills and produce their reports, which will air across the BBC, including Newsbeat, Newsround, The One Show. BBC Three, BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC News at Six.

Their stories are being broadcast across the BBC.

The 12 finalists were recognised at a special awards ceremony where the four overall winners - Annabelle, Eghosa, Salma and Francesca, were also announced.

My Life 11-15 Finalists

15-year-old Annabelle is on HRT because she is going through an early menopause.

Isabella's story is about what life is like a foster sister.

When Lottie's dad was knocked off his bike it had a massive impact on the whole family.

My Life 16-18 Finalists

Rhys tells the story of being a disabled boxer.

16-year-old Jake explains why he's a unique DJ.

As a black, Muslim female footballer Salma wants to challenge stereotypes. The 16-year-old, who plays for Brentford Women's FC, says she wants young girls to realise what is possible. She produced her story with BBC Three.

My World 11-15 Finalists

Jovita and her parents are deaf and use British Sign Language to communicate but life outside the home is very different for her.

Eghosa shows the local council what living in a one bedroomed house is like.

12 year old Fatima has decided to wear the hijab. She knows this might incite negative comments and prejudice and wants to share her story to help inform people about the hijab and young people like her and her sisters decide to wear it.

My World 16-18 Finalists

16-year-old Tia's story is about living with a parent who is an addict. She entered because she wanted to show other people what it was like to live with an addict but also that however bad things get you can recover. Tia shared her story with BBC Newsbeat - read it here.

Francesca's story is about how social media has made her view her disability differently.

When Tayla's mum died she helped the lives of four strangers. You can listen to her share her story on BBC Radio 5 Live's Afternoon Edition here.

The BBC Young Reporter Competition gives young people a unique chance to tell their story on TV, radio, online or on social media with the help of BBC journalists, producers and programme makers.

There were two categories - My Life and My World - and two age groups for each of these, 11-15 or 16-18. The judges were looking for powerful personal stories related to subjects not usually broadcast on the BBC.

Watch a BBC News Channel special programme about the BBC Young Reporter Competition here.

Follow us on Twitter @BBCYoungReport./ #BBCYoungReporter