4Uth 2018 winners
Gedling winner: Caitlin Orchard
Caitlin is 17 and lives in Calverton. She has been nominated for the award by Mohammed Yaseen, youth worker at Calverton Young People’s Centre. Mohammed has nominated Caitlin because of the way she has overcome problems with bullying and intimidation and learned new skills to help her develop her future plans.
Mohammed explains: “Caitlin is a long-time member of Calverton Young People’s Centre who has faced immense obstacles for a 15 year old and became reclusive and socially and emotionally isolated in her family, peer groups and community.”
However, she continued to attend the centre where she began to support activities in the coffee bar, create food menus and cook foods from around the world for young people to try. She then began to teach young people from the club how to cook these recipes and she now works as an apprentice chef at the World's End Restaurant in Lowdham.
Caitlin lives at home in Salterford Avenue, Calverton with mum Barbara and dad Nigel who said: “Attending the sessions has really given her a lot of confidence and she has a lot of friends there. News of this award has also really boosted her morale. We are so proud.” Caitlin said:
“The last five years at the youth club helped me get through all the sadness I was feeling outside. I realise now that this is an amazing place where young people can go to get help with their problems and maybe find something they love.”
Mohammed concludes: “Caitlin has been an inspiring young person to others, and has stood up to immense bullying, intimidation, isolation and harassment in her community. Through this turbulent time she has continued to help staff at Calverton Young People's Centre helping others to cook and bringing the tastes of the world to young people in the village.”
Councillor Tracey Taylor, Vice-Chairman of the Children and Young People’s Committee, at Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “It is great to hear that she is following her passion to enter the catering and hospitality industry and she is a very worthy recipient of the Gedling district 4Uth award.”
