Date: 20 February 2008

Norwood service users receive Jack Petchey awards

Six young people who use Norwood’s services in East London were presented with Jack Petchey Foundation achievement awards at a special ceremony at Norwood’s Leonard Sainer Children & Family Centre in Redbridge. The six winners, Kylie Chambers, 19, Jordan Frenkel, 15, Sarah Howard, 16, Lindsey-Anne Kaye, 14, Lauren Richards, 18, and Adam Orgel,11, all attend Unity, Norwood’s recreation, play and youth service for young people with learning disabilities.

They were nominated by their peers in recognition of achievements including being a good friend and acting as a Unity representative on the Young People’s Focus Group, which is made up of children and young people who use Norwood’s disability services and ensures that their views are heard within the organisation. The awards were presented by Chris Bullock, Grants Officer for the Foundation, which gives grants to programmes and projects that benefit young people aged 11 - 25. This was the first of what will become an annual event.

Cheered on by family and friends, each winner was awarded a certificate and medallion, as well as a sum of money to be spent on their service in a manner of their choosing. Requests that have already been made include the hire of an inflatable and a day trip for the group. Lauren Richards was delighted with her award. She said: “I feel really pleased winning it, as I like coming to Unity”.

Jo Shone, Unity Manager, said: “It has been a fantastic evening and our award winners fully deserve their accolades. I would like to thank the Jack Petchey Foundation for helping us to highlight the achievemements of these deserving young people.

For further information, please contact David Wosner, Public Relations Manager at Norwood, on 020 8420 6942 or email david.wosner@norwood.org.uk