Gary Seath 2 years ago
Having proceeded to finalist in the young people’s award, the panel recognised Heather’s selfless commitment and dedication to supporting the armed forces community, through her work with Forces Children Scotland.
Held in London, the ceremony celebrated achievements of those from armed forces and veteran families who have shown incredible resilience to triumph over adversity, pursue inspiring career paths, lead incredible projects, and much more.
Forces Children Scotland ensures young people from armed forces and veteran families are at the heart of developing its projects, services and campaigns, through a process of co-production, called Combined Force.
The process has enabled Heather to work with the charity to co-produce a digital platform, called the Your Mind Matters Hub, that provides digital mental health and wellbeing resources for 12,500 peers from armed forces and veteran families.
As a young carer, Heather has worked with the charity to co-produce awareness-raising campaigns in Fife schools, which aimed to encourage young carers from the armed forces community to learn more about available support.
Heather has worked with fellow young people to co-develop a video campaign, called Tornado, to help civilian audiences better understand what it’s like when a parent leaves the armed forces and encourages them to find how they can help.
Heather said:
“To find out I was a finalist was a complete shock as it was totally unexpected. I never went into any of the projects wanting recognition, so to be nominated and then to become a finalist was absolutely fantastic, I was over the moon.
“The ceremony was amazing, and the whole trip down to London was fantastic. We had just enough time to walk around part of Hyde Park, and take in the sights and some of the better-known streets before getting ready for the awards ceremony.
“We were made to feel special getting a gold star and certificate. As finalists in the young people’s award, we also got an extra sweet tub. Everyone was genuinely lovely, and it felt great to be with so many awesome people from the same community.
“Many young people lose that connection to this community they have grown up around once their parents leave the forces.
“I want to make sure young people from forces families, whether serving or veteran families, know where there is support for them through Forces Children Scotland, and how they can get involved in different projects and opportunities.”
Nina Collins, Forces Children Scotland’s Children and Young People’s Participation Manager said:
“Heather selflessly gives up what little spare time she has to co-develop projects, services, and campaigns to ensure her peers can access support when they need it the most; she has and continues to be an amazing asset to our organisation.
“Her caring nature can be observed through interaction with other young people, supporting those who are less confident, making sure they feel comfortable to ensure that they’re not left out, and encouraging them to get involved.
“Heather is a truly inspirational young person who selflessly gives up what little free time she has to make a difference to and support others.”
Heather is currently raising funds for Forces Children Scotland, to say thank you to the charity.
Heather said:
“I chose Forces Children Scotland because I have received a lot of support from them in the last couple of years, which started with a financial grant and has led to things like helping to co-create a website, podcasts, campaigns, and much more.
“For all the amazing things Forces Children Scotland achieve, I feel like they are not talked about enough. So I want to raise awareness as well as fundraise for this amazing charity.
“My fundraising includes 3000 flights of stairs in May, while also going head-to-head against my dad, who is a veteran, and sister to see who can get more steps in May, which means if I win they both have to donate via the just giving page.
“There will also be a couple of other challenges that come up over the next few months which will include rollerblading the distance from Reading Hospital, where I was born, to Edinburgh, which is where Forces Children Scotland is based.”
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