True Blue!

One of BREAD’s young volunteers is celebrating after being announced as a winner in the Avon and Somerset Police Children and Young People’s Awards.

Blue with Emma, Juicy's project manager & PC Sean Underwood, who both nominated him for the award, & Blue's nanna JanetThe judges selected Blue James as one of the seven winners as they were so impressed with the way he turned his life around after having difficulties at school.

Blue has been coming to Juicy Blitz for the last three years, starting out as a participant before becoming a volunteer. He has given more than 500 hours of time to the project over the last year.

Blue was also invited to become a member of the North 1 Youth Forum in April 2011 in recognition of his commitment as a young leader. This has involved working with members of the youth forum to identify issues for young people locally and communicate these issues to representatives from the council, police and other agencies. Blue and another young person also secured a grant for £2,500 from Starbucks Youth Action in July 2011 to renovate a space for young people in Shirehampton.

The awards recognise the achievements of some of the most exceptional young people in Avon and Somerset. The police received 55 nominations for individuals and groups of young people who had all achieved something special over the past twelve months. Of these the top seven were selected and given awards for their efforts at a ceremony at Police Headquarters. You can read more about the event and other winners on the Avon and Somerset website.