A young care leaver from Wolverhampton has received an award from The High Sheriff of the West Midlands in recognition of his "great and valuable services to the community".
Ricky Lowther was presented with the award at a reception attended by the High Sheriff Louise Bennett OBE DL in the presence of the Mayor of Wolverhampton Councillor Greg Brackenridge last week.
The award also "recognises the appreciation of the residents of the High Sheriff's county for activity and contribution in enhancing the life of the community".
Ricky was nominated for his ongoing work to support other care leavers as a dedicated member of CLIC, the Care Leavers Independent Consortium, which helps to shape services for young people leaving care.
He has played a major part in the successful introduction of The House Project, which helps young people leaving care to create a home of their own and to live independently.
He also helps to deliver a training programme called Total Respect, giving professionals an insight into the journey of a young person in care, understanding their rights and addressing misconceptions, and recently contributed to the development of the national Care Review Survey, ensuring young people in Wolverhampton could have their say.
Ricky said: "I felt happy to receive this award and to be able to explain what I do to help other young people leaving care.
"As a care leaver I want to do all I can to help other people leaving care to take the next step in their lives and to become independent."
Michelle Cummings, City of Wolverhampton Council's corporate parenting officer, said: "Ricky is a young man who, through adversity, has grown in confidence, developed new skills and dedicated time to improve the lives of others as they leave care.
"I would like to congratulate him on this well-deserved honour and for his hard work in helping the city's care leavers."
The High Sheriff has made it one of her themes for her year in office to highlight opportunities for, and the good work of, the area's young people.
