National Children and Young People Now Awards

Megan tirelessly gives up her time to promote emotional wellbeing and resilience in Kent for other young people. A young carer who helps look after six younger siblings, some with special educational needs, Megan already has a lot on her plate. However, this has not stopped her, becoming a key member of HeadStart Kent, an organisation that helps young people learn to cope better with difficult situations in their lives funded by the National Lottery Community Fund.

The award itself is given to an individual child or young person that has achieved significant improvements in his or her own outcomes and made a positive contribution to their community through activities such as volunteering or campaigning. The young person will have made these achievements through interaction with a single project or a range of services and must be nominated for the Award by an Adult professional.

For the past 18 months, Megan has been an active participant in HeadStart Kent activities, not least in helping develop resources for schools to be more aware of how to deal with mental health challenges among pupils. Megan has been heavily involved in designing and delivering training, which is then fed down to schools and community settings participating in the programme. HeadStart Kent is in 42 Secondary schools and 85 Primary schools promoting resilience and emotional wellbeing.

Every month Megan takes part in a Kent wide anti bullying campaign. She has grown in confidence, co-hosting a wellbeing event for more than 200 young people and mental health professionals in March, something she would have struggled with just last year.

As a key member of HeadStart Kent, Megan is involved in a lot of decision making, participating in interview panels, getting involved in commissioning services for young people, and helping to assess grants and services.

Although very busy at home as a young carer, Megan sat her English Literature GCSE a year early at Canterbury Academy and received a A grade. She even finds time to be part of the SENsational choir, Canterbury’s only choir for disabled children and their siblings. She is a remarkable young person.

Congratulations to Megan.