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Three youngsters from the Canterbury district have been recognised for their talent, personal development and intervention work in the annual Spirit of Try Angle Awards, organised by Kent County Council.

Nathan James works hard to raise awareness for mental health and promote positive wellbeing for young people and was recommended in the positive intervention category by Amy Cunningham, a youth worker at Whitstable Youth Hub.

The 15-year-old from Thanington Without has created a popular online blog on Youtube to share his story and inspire and motivate others. He has also launched a t-shirt-making project called Inspire to promote mental health awareness, with the profits going towards mental health charities.

Through the Headstart Kent Talents scheme, Nathan received a camera. Channelling his passion for photography as his own way to relieve stress, he now has a following of over 20,000 on Instagram.

As a committee member for Thanington Youth Club, he also uses his photography to record events and trips.

Also recognised was Niamh Lynn-devere, 17, from Herne Bay, who has faced many challenges in her life, with her mother suffering from health issues and the death of her older sister.

Due to her personal grief, Niamh’s own condition of dyspraxia was overlooked for many years and she struggled and faced difficulties at school. But she throws herself into everything she does, especially school productions.

Having taken lead parts in Les Misérables and Make a Wish, she also worked with her fellow performers to record a short film for an eight-year-old boy from Aberdeen who was fighting cancer.

Nominated for the personal development award by her drama teacher at Canterbury High School, Niamh is now studying performing arts at Canterbury College.

Another award recipient was Nathan Williams, 12, from Herne Bay, who found sanctuary in drawing and painting after struggling to cope with autism.

With the support from the autism unit at Simon Lang- ton Grammar School, he has become a talented artist despite many daily challenges.

Nathan’s first portrait painting for his exams received top marks, the only one in the school.

Following judging of the inspirational stories of the district category winners, the final 24 Spirit Finalists and their guests celebrated at the 24th anniversary of Spirit of Try Angle county final at the Ashford International Hotel.