28 September 2020

The efforts of three young people in Harrow who have been service users of CNWL's CAMHS service have been recognised by The Jack Petchey Foundation's Achievement Award Scheme.

The three were nominated by Support Participation Worker, Sonya Lewin for their service to participation at Harrow CAMHS.

Each received a certificate, pin badge and a book from Sir Jack himself. Each was also provided with a grant of £250 to benefit the service. In total the service has £750 it is now deciding how to use.

The Foundation was set up to inspire and motivate young people across London and Essex by providing exciting projects and programmes for them to get involved in.

It also recognises the outstanding achievements of today’s young people by awarding them for their hard work and positive impact in their community.

Sonya said: “The young people I nominated have different diagnoses and different challenges but all have taken the time and effort to help us shape our services.

“This is including sitting in on interview panels in our team and in other CAMHS services. They have really helpful and vocal in providing feedback about changes to services or in setting up new services.

“It really meant a lot to me to see they had been awarded this. They’ve worked really hard and I’m incredibly proud of them.

“I’ve been able to watch them grow into confident young people who are overcoming their difficulties.

“It’s like watching a flower grow and bloom.

“To be truthful I wish I could have nominated all the young people I work with, but this is my way of saying goodbye to two of them as they are moving on.

“Over the next couple of months we will be discussing ideas on how to use the £750 during the Covid-19 lockdown.  Some ideas which our nominees have suggested so far are creating wellbeing packs, gardening packs or baking boxes to be sent to our service users.”

More details of the Jack Petchey foundation can be found here: https://www.jackpetcheyfoundation.org.uk/opportunities/grant-programmes/achievement-awards/