Ashfield nominees: 4Uth Awards 2020

Callum Parr, Sara-Lee Parr and Victoria Keeling, Sutton in Ashfield, aged 15, 22 and 22

During the pandemic, young people involved in the Little Bit of Sunshine Project decided as a group to do something which would reach other people within the community, especially people who were feeling the same as them. In the past all members of the group have been affected by mental health, so they understood how some people would be finding the lockdown very difficult.

This led them to creating a presence on social media, through Facebook, Instagram and Tiktok (@albosproject and @albosprojectuk). The social media posts were about spreading positivity and hope on a regular basis. They also thought about people who do not have access to social media, putting up real life positive quotes around Sutton Lawn - their local green space - hanging them in various places around the park for people to enjoy.

They were also very keen to promote access to mental health awareness and care to as many people as possible, during a time when many were dealing with feelings of negativity and uncertainty.

Regan Cattell, Hucknall, aged 17

Regan Cattell

Regan has faced significant challenges in recent years. In early 2020 he was the victim of exploitation and was subsequently arrested by the police. Since then, he has committed to making real changes by reassessing his friends, supporting his family and community, and has turned his life around.

Regan, who has learning difficulties, helps his mother who works during the daytime by taking care of his siblings, and mentors one of his younger siblings who became at risk through associations with local young people involved in criminal activity. Regan does the shopping, takes his siblings to school, and makes sure that they all follow Covid-19 precautions when they are outside.

Regan now works part time with a roofing company. He registered with CT skills Nottingham and has started his CSCS (Construction Skills Certification Scheme) card training.

He is a keen angler and has set up a fishing activity for local elderly residents, encouraging them to socially distance while walking to the pond and fishing around the pond. This has helped older people in Hucknall to keep active and connected to their community. He has been active in challenging young people on social media who were circulating a conspiracy theory that Covid-19 isn't real.

Roxie Cowlishaw, Selston, aged 11

Roxie has been helping look after her little sister and the family's three horses during the pandemic, and helping her mother, who works as a childminder, meaning that parents could return to work when they needed to.

She has been checking up on family members she couldn't see in person by sending them pictures, drawings, cards, or by phone calls, to make sure they were alright. Although she is only 11 years old, she never stops putting others first. 

She has a positive attitude, loves to make people happy and never stops helping others, without complaint.

Sophie McAdam, Selston, aged 12

Sophie is a keen dancer, and enjoys ballet, tap, modern, musical theatre, theatre craft, acro, contemporary and commercial dance. Sophie continued to participate in all of her dance subjects online all through lockdown, as well as singing lessons and choir practice. 

She also began playing the ukulele, teaching herself how to play with some help from her French teacher, and attending youth club on a regular basis and set up online meetings with her friends who didn't attend the club.

With Sophie continuing to dance via Zoom, this helped the Dance School to keep going, as it is a small local school. She is always keen to help others, with an energetic,  positive outlook on life, and is happy when she has lots of plans and things to be involved in. 

Sophie Oldham, Selston, aged 15

Before Covid-19 Sophie was committed to supporting her local community through her involvement in a locally run voluntary youth group, Youthtogether, as well as the Selston Christmas tree committee, and fund raising events for young people with cancer.

Throughout the lockdown, Sophie has supported her mum with her business, Selston Cob shop. Sophie helped, prepared and delivered food parcels within her community to vulnerable elderly residents, while supporting her mum to prepare and hand out meals to NHS staff at the local hospital.

Her kindness has made a big different to people living in the community, particularly those who have been shielding or isolating  during the pandemic. 

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