ANOTHER Thurrock teenager has been honoured by the The Jack Petchey Foundation Community Awards, an award scheme to recognise young people from London and Essex who are helping their community during the coronavirus outbreak.

Jack Petchey's Community Awards have been awarded throughout the pandemic to keep young people motivated and celebrate their contributions to society.

The most recent winner is 16-year-old Amelia Smith. Over the lockdown, Amelia started making positive packages for vulnerable people to bring a little positivity into an otherwise difficult situation for those with disabilities, chronic illnesses, visible and invisible illnesses that had made them self-isolate during the lockdown.

Members of the public nominate a person they know directly to Amelia, along with some information about them, enabling Amelia to personalise the packs and ensure they are specifically adapted and suited to the individual needs of the person.

Hannah Luke, Amelia's nominator who arranged one of Amelia's Positivity Packs for someone, said: "I think this is an amazing idea to support the community, those who need some cheering up and are unable to go out during these unprecedented times."

Amelia said: "I've loved making my positivity packages and spreading smiles to those that need them during this really difficult time. It feels incredible to have received this award and to know I've had a positive impact on the community!"

Amelia was awarded £50 from the Foundation and a letter from Sir Jack to congratulate her on going the extra mile to help others in this lockdown.

Trudy Kilcullen MBE, CEO of the Jack Petchey Foundation said: "At the Jack Petchey Foundation, young people inspire us all the time with the incredible work they do and that has not stopped in the current situation. We want to recognise more young people across London and Essex doing inspirational things to help their community and hope these Community Awards will motivate others and truly showcase the positive things young people do every day."

A young person can be nominated for any actions they are doing to help vulnerable family members, the local area, school or youth group during the covid-19 situation as long as these abide by the government guidelines for social distancing.

These could include: delivering groceries to a vulnerable neighbour, creating content to inspire others (e.g. artwork, videos and blog posts), helping a youth group to adapt their work online, contacting local isolated people on the phone, and supporting a parent/friend keyworker.

The Jack Petchey Foundation has worked with schools and youth groups across Thurrock since 2008 providing £1,404,171 in funding to schools and youth clubs in the local area.