A YOUTH Worker for the Okehampton area has won the Winner of Winners at Devon County Council's Customer Service and Equality Awards.
Area youth worker Kerry Hickman, who commutes from Somerset every day, was recognised for her outstanding commitment to providing services for young people in the town and surrounding areas. She is based at Room 13 in Okehampton's James Street.
The Customer Service and Equality Awards were held at County Hall in Exeter and recognise the commitment, care and dedication to service provided by staff across the county council.
Kerry, who was nominated after two years of youth service, said: 'It was a real shock to win but really lovely to be made to feel so special.
'As a youth worker, you get so involved with your job you rarely come up for air, so it was great to be recognised and to learn more about other areas of the county council's work at the awards ceremony.'
Kerry also won the Going the Extra Mile category at the Awards, which recognised a member of staff who is always good to their word, never makes excuses and never lets their customers or colleagues down.
'I find my job so fulfilling as it is great to see how much young people can achieve and develop.
'It is very rewarding when I meet up with young people I have worked with and they say it was thanks to me that they made changes in their lives and developed new-found confidence.
'That makes the long hours more than worthwhile.'
Kerry, who secured additional funds to enable the service to extend the sessions offered to young people from twice a week to daily, was nominated for the awards by fellow Youth Service Worker Helen Howarth.
Mrs Howarth said: 'Kerry goes the extra mile by staying on after youth work sessions if there are any issues with the young people or the staff, and ensures that young people in Okehampton receive the best service possible.
'She is fully committed to the people she works with, is excellent at supporting staff and listening to problems and is always there when it counts.'
The Youth Service in Okehampton caters for 11-24 year olds and offers a range of advice and information, drop-in sessions and groups and one-to-one support.