DHI volunteer highly commended by Council Chairman

One of DHI’s young volunteers was recently recognised as part of the Bath & North East Somerset Chairman's Community Awards for 2016-17. Bradley Jones, who volunteers with Project 28, was awarded Highly Commended – Young Volunteer of the Year – for his work supporting young people dealing with substance abuse.

While many of Bradley’s peers have been involved in anti-social behaviour, he tries to engage his friends in positive activity. Part of this has involved Bradley working with Project 28 in connecting some of his friends who need additional support from the service. As part of his volunteering, Bradley has accompanied friends to meetings at Project 28, and also helps staff at the drop in service, in activities such as tidying up after sessions. Through his work with Project 28, Bradley has learnt a lot about drugs education and harm reduction, which has helped keep him, his friends, and other young people safe and educated. Bradley has been described as a very positive and engaging young person who deserves recognition for his voluntary work.

The Bath & North East Somerset Chairman's Community Awards recognise volunteers, community leaders, organisations, carers and local businesses that make a positive contribution to the local community. 108 nominations were received this year with Councillor Alan Hale, Chairman of Bath & North East Somerset Council, hosting a celebration awards ceremony at the Guildhall in Bath on February 9^th 2017.

Project 28 provides holistic packages of care to young people under the age of 18 in the BANES area with problematic substance misuse support needs. The ethos of the project is to provide a physical space in which young people want to spend time in, where they can then access a range of services to support them. Project 28 provides support and assessment around their drug and alcohol use as well as skills to develop employment and training needs.

In addition to this DHI’s Home Turf Lettings – a service which specialises in letting private rented accommodation to tenants in housing need - was nominated for this year’s Business in the Community Award, as part of the Bath & North East Somerset Chairman's Community Awards for 2016-17.