Caitlin – Young Hero

‘By helping others, you can help yourself’

CAITLIN Walker was devastated when her GCSE exams were cancelled this summer due to Covid-19.

The 16-year-old had overcome problems at school, mental health troubles and had become a carer for her dad James after a car crash. But then, since she was being home-educated, she was told she was ineligible to receive any qualifications.

“After all that hard work, I was heartbroken,” says Caitlin, who is autistic and has OCD. “I felt like giving up. But then I tried to think positive and find things to keep my mind busy.”

Already a volunteer for the National Lotterybacked Youth Resilience

UK – an organisation cofounded by her mum Kelly, to help children develop emotional skills – Caitlin started supporting people of all ages in her local community. She collected prescriptions and shopping, started a Facebook group for NHS workers informing them about priority shopping times, sewed face masks; she even made gift packs to thank intensive care staff. Now Caitlin has won a National Lottery award, and £3000 in funding for Youth Resilience.

She says: “Volunteering motivates me to get out of bed even in my lowest moods. By helping others, you can help yourself.”