Community leader and youth mentor Delroy Ellis is honoured by University of Gloucestershire

Community leader and youth mentor Delroy Ellis has been awarded an Honorary Fellowship by University of Gloucestershire.

The award recognises Delroy’s extraordinary contribution to supporting young people and his tireless work in tackling anti-social behaviour, gang affiliation and knife crime across Gloucestershire.

Receiving his Honorary Fellowship today at one of the University’s 2025 Graduation Ceremonies being held this week at Cheltenham Racecourse, Delroy said: “Receiving an Honorary Fellowship from the University of Gloucestershire is an incredible honour and deeply humbling moment for me. To be recognised by the University for my work with young people means so much.

“My journey here has not been a straight path. There were times when I felt uncertain about where I was heading, or whether I truly belonged in certain spaces.

“But to be here today, doing what I’m doing, is proof that the road to finding your purpose is rarely simple, but always worth travelling. 

“To any young person who feels lost, unseen, or unsure of their direction, I want to say this: your story is still being written. The moments of confusion or frustration are not signs of failure – they are part of your formation. Keep showing up, keep learning, and keep believing that you have something unique to offer. Growth doesn’t always happen in the spotlight: often, it happens quietly, in the times when you think no one is watching.

“Trust that those moments matter. You have every right to dream, to stumble, and to rise again, because that’s how real change, and real fulfilment, begin.” 

Delroy’s journey to becoming a pillar of the Gloucester community is one of remarkable transformation, resilience and belief.

Excluded from school at an early age and sent to a behavioural unit for ‘difficult children’, Delroy later discovered that undiagnosed severe dyslexia had been at the root of his struggles to read and write. With little support available at the time, he left education permanently and fell into a cycle of petty crime and drug dependency.

A turning point came at the age of 21, when Delroy met his estranged father for the first time. After taking part in a youth exchange to Jamaica through a then Prince Charles-funded programme, Delroy was struck by his father’s advice to “be a leader, not a follower.” When his father passed away weeks later, Delroy resolved to change the direction of his life.

Joining the Prince’s Trust, Delroy excelled on their programme, becoming a South West Ambassador and dedicating himself to helping others.

Determined to use his experiences to support young people, he founded Increase the Peace, a Gloucester-based charity that addresses youth violence and promotes positive futures through mentoring, workshops and creative projects. The charity began with an inspirational music album shared among local youth groups and has grown into a powerful force for change.

Through his Youth Engagement Scheme (YES), Delroy and his team support vulnerable young people in schools and those not in education, helping them find confidence, stability and hope.

Delroy’s work has received widespread recognition over more than 20 years. His awards include Citizen of Gloucester (2012), and in 2013 he was affectionately appointed ‘Mayor of Barton’ by the local community.

Delroy has worked as a Learning Mentor for the Racial Equality and Diversity Service (READS) and is highly respected for his expertise in restorative practice and conflict resolution.

The University said the award celebrates Delroy’s “exceptional commitment to young people and his inspirational example of how determination and a sense of purpose can create lasting, positive change in the community.”