Westbury young people celebrated at youth awards

Young people from Westbury have been recognised for their community work, resilience and achievements at the Inspire Youth Awards.

Organised by Wiltshire Area Youth Service, which runs Westbury Youth Club, the awards recognise the achievements of young people, volunteers, organisations and adults making a difference.

Winners were presented with awards at a ceremony at Kingdown School in Warminster on Tuesday 20th October.

Team10, a voluntary youth group from Westbury Junior School that carries out community projects including litter-picking, tree planting and supporting local groups, received the Team Award.

Phoebe Arnold won the Young Recognition Award for volunteering at a weekly sports class and acting as a role model to her peers, while Sophie Percival received the Young SEN Award for showing resilience.

Westbury teacher Laura Midson-Williams received the Outstanding Recognition Award for helping her students achieve things they never believed they could. Keryne Thompson won the Sponsors Award for supporting families and helping them connect with schools, children’s services and other organisations.

Team10 coordinator Susannah Duval said, “We are extremely proud and grateful to have received this award. The children on Team10 are an inspiration for their peers, the community and the partners they work with by showing their incredible enthusiasm, care and dedication in all the work they do for the community.

“This includes anything from litter-picking, planting trees, hedges and bulbs, raising money for the school, painting murals and supporting other groups, including The Chestnut Grove community garden, where they have planted, weeded and painted over the last year.

“120 children have worked to support Westbury for over 8 years, through working with other partners in their environment and supporting other community groups, showing resilience and joy in everything they do.

“The team has encouraged children to make a difference in their community and encourage others to do the same and many members of the team have gone on to join other groups supporting Westbury.

“They have been supported by dedicated adults over the years, including Scott Kinnaird, the founding member, as well as Liz Davis and Darren May and their incredible families, who have supported the children in their committed endeavour to make a difference in supporting the community in Westbury.

“We are extremely proud to have received this award and so proud of the children who made that happen.”

The awards were held for the second year, with winners from Warminster also recognised for their contributions. The evening also featured performances by Freddie Evans and Sophia McGukian.