The Room 4 Young People (R4YP) Awards offer a platform to recognise young people and housing colleagues and their brilliant work and positive stories regarding the impact on young people and services during the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
The Service Stars award is dedicated to colleagues or volunteers who have inspired others and who achieved significant improvements in the lives of young people by campaigning, boosting participation, or who have shown leadership skills to help sustain services and keep people safe at this challenging time.
LiveWest colleague, Janice Stewart has been recognised for the amazing impact she has made, helping four of our young people move on safely into their next stage of independent living.
Janice has worked within our supported housing teams since 2004 across a variety of services in Teignbridge. Janice is now a Coach based at our Torbay Foyer and supports young people who have found themselves in need of accommodation and support. She works with the young people on their independent living skills, budgeting and money management. Janice also signposts to access training education and employment and coaches them to discover and encourage their talents and skills.
Coronavirus has come with many challenges for everyone, but this didn’t stop Janice from going the extra mile to support young people in need. Without hesitation she was more than happy to undertake the challenge of safely coordinating the move of four young people during this uncertain time including, supporting setting up utilities, ensuring they had adequate gas, electric and food along with completing paperwork and benefit support.
Janice Stewart, LiveWest Coach said: “I was thrilled to be nominated and so surprised too! I always strive to give 100% in my role and have never lost my passion for supporting young people to reach their full potential. It’s a very rewarding role although challenging at times! Often former Foyer residents will come back to see us and say how much the Foyer helped them and it makes all the hard work feel worthwhile.”
Janice’s manager and LiveWest Service Manager, Julie Wilcox said: “I was delighted that Janice was recognised after all her hard work and was shortlisted for the Service Stars award. Janice is passionate about supporting the young people she works with and goes above and beyond in her role to ensure the best possible outcome for them. We all wish her the very best of luck with her nomination.”
The R4YP Inspiration awards take place virtually on Tuesday 3 November. Good luck Janice!