THREE teenagers from Chard have been honoured with British Citizen Youth Awards for their volunteering efforts in the local community during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Charlotte Berry, Joseph Bartlett and Kane Roker have all been recognised for the contributions they have made to the Chard Covid-19 Support Group since it was created at the start of the first national lockdown.
Charlotte was one of the first volunteers through the door when the group started operating in March.
For nine weeks she volunteered tirelessly, excelling as part of the behind-the-scenes administration team, and has since moved on to become a phone buddy co-ordinator looking after a group of people who make calls to lonely and isolated people.
At only 16 years of age, Charlotte took calls from people in fear, trauma, confusion and high levels of anxiety.
Being compassionate and cheerful, she soothed people in times of real distress.
She mastered the IT systems very quickly and has greatly improved the phone buddy system to support as many people as possible.
Charlotte made a huge difference as an integral part of a small team, and will continue to help the community with her phone buddy work in the future.
DILIGENT: Joseph Bartlett
Joseph began volunteering with the group in the third week of the first lockdown, and has been with the support team on a daily basis ever since.
His role has been to administrate their prescription delivery scheme, responsible for making sure 5,000 prescription reached their owners.
His calmness and diligence meant there was as close to a zero error rate as it was possible to achieve.
Joseph has carried out more than 500 hours of volunteering, and shows character and professionalism well beyond his years with meticulous attention to detail and patience.
Kane was originally volunteering with the Royal British Legion before joining the Covid-19 support team as a delivery driver for essentials and prescriptions during lockdown.
His dedication over this time was exemplary, volunteering for 10 hours a day for over three months.
For many people who lived alone and were self-isolating, Kane might be the only person they would see all week.
Despite the pressure of carrying out so many deliveries, Kane always had a smile and a friendly word for people.
His dedication, energy and enthusiasm were inspiring.
FRIENDLY SMILE: Kane Roker
The group has supported more than 1,500 people in the local community over the last few months, and it has only been possible for them to do this with the support of outstanding volunteers like Charlotte, Joseph and Kane.
Despite the challenges presented by the pandemic, 25 extraordinary young people from across the UK are being recognised with a coveted British Citizen Youth Award this winter.
Due to the current government restrictions banning large gatherings indoors, the usual grand medal presentation ceremony at the Palace of Westminster is unable to take place.
For the first time in its history, Charlotte, Joseph, Kane and the other 22 medallists have received their BCyA medals by courier, together with a video message from some of the patrons and an invitation to the House of Lords when it is safe to hold an event.
The British Citizen Youth Award (BCyA), in association with Specsavers, is now in its fourth year and recognises exceptional young people who positively impact their communities.
Co-founder of the BCyA, Mike Faulkner, said: “While it is bitterly disappointing not be able to present these young people with their medals in person, we are determined to recognise them for their exceptional endeavours.
"They will still have the full British Citizen Youth Award experience when we can safely gather indoors in larger numbers.
“The 25 medallists represent all that is good about young people today.
"Their commitment to others and to making society better for everyone was the driving force for us to unite them with their medals at the earliest opportunity.
"By highlighting the commitment of young people like Charlotte, Joseph and Kane, we aim to make positive impact in the community the norm rather than the exception.”
Each Medal of Honour bears the words ‘For the Good of the Country’, being presented to only a small number of exceptional young individuals annually.
Nominations are now being accepted for the 2021 medal presentations, here.
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