A young person from Herefordshire was recently invited to Manchester Town Hall for the first National Children and Young People’s Mental Health Awards organised by Positive Practice in Mental Health.
The young person, Gabby, was nominated for the ‘Volunteer of the Year’ award by The CLD Trust for her involvement in one of their projects as a Wellbeing Ambassador. During 2017 she gave over 70 hours of her time to improve mental health services for other young people in Herefordshire.
Sarah Crockett, Participation Manager at The CLD Trust described Gabby as their longest standing and most committed volunteer. She went onto say that “Gabby is contentious and has maintained committed to her role as a Wellbeing Ambassador this year, despite facing many of her own personal difficulties. She has shown perseverance, and has always gone about her voluntary work with a smile and a positive attitude.”
Gabby was one of only three young people shortlisted for Volunteer of the year at the event on 6th January, the other two nominees coming from Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust and Cheshire & Wirral Partnership NHS Trust. Although Gabby was not the overall winner, she was awarded a Highly Commended certificate in recognition of her achievements.
Sarah commented that “Gabby has and continues to positively influence and educate not only those who deliver front line mental health services to young people but also those who make decisions about them. We are thrilled that she has received this recognition as it is truly well deserved.”
As a Wellbeing Ambassador, during 2017 Gabby has taken part in a range of activities and events from interviewing new staff to hosting a discussion event for young people and professionals. She has made presentations at a regional good practice sharing event as well as delivered an activity to other young people, identifying barriers young people face to accessing mental health services and exploring possible solutions to overcome them.
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