Inspirational young people in the Black Country win awards for going above and beyond during Covid outbreak
Two inspiring young people from the Black Country have won awards for the brilliant work they have done throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.
Katie Davies, aged 19, and Alex Griffiths, aged 20, both won Young Volunteer Awards in the Dudley CVS's Covid Awards.
Alex volunteers at Black Country Radio, not only as a presenter, but working behind the scenes in the programming team, as a producer and part of the social media team.
He also took on an apprentice role in September last year at Dudley's Russells Hall Hospital as a healthcare assistant.
During the Covid pandemic he went above and beyond, working on Covid wards on 12 hour shifts, providing critical care and also with palliative care, sitting alongside people as they passed away.
Despite his work at the hospital meaning he had to step back from the radio station, he still continued to support volunteers remotely as well as being a carer for his mother.
His nomination for the award said: "Alex is an exceptional young man and is truly inspirational.
"It is difficult at times, to appreciate he is just 20 years of age.
"He stepped up and cared for people in their time of need - helping save lives where he could, sitting with vulnerable people as they passed away, providing exceptional empathy and support in truly exceptional circumstances.
"He supported his family, and we couldn't keep him away - the limited time he had available he supported volunteers at the station in providing a vital public service."
Katie attended Halesowen College to study levels 1 and 2 public services, and level 2 health & social care.
To balance volunteering and college, Katie worked with Dudley CVS who supported her to fit her volunteering around her college timetable and assessment deadlines.
During the pandemic, Katie delivered over 2,000 food parcels to families in receipt of free school meals, alongside shopping for a family who were shielding.
As restrictions lifted, her volunteering moved to Halesowen town centre where she supported shoppers to navigate the one-way system around the local businesses and worked with at Halesowen Bid (Business Improvement District.
Both young people celebrated their achievements in a socially distanced ceremony at home.
