Youth worker recognised for drugs education

Andy Watson (centre) received his award from the High Sheriff of Kent

A youth worker at a Kent charity has been recognised for his "outstanding" outreach and school work.

Andy Watson, Kenward Trust’s youth and community worker, received the High Sheriff of Kent Award.

Mr Watson, who has been involved with the Yalding-based charity which works with alcohol and drug rehabilitation for almost 20 years, said he was "blown away" by the honour.

His own story involved drugs and alcohol, prison, rehabilitation and reform, according to a charity spokesperson.

Mr Watson has used his own personal journey to shine "a positive light", the charity said.

He has been "running back-to-back intervention and education programmes in schools across Kent and Medway", it added.

He was a resident at Kenward Trust in 2002, has been delivering drug and alcohol intervention support programmes since 2005, and officially joined the charity youth services team in 2010.

Penny Williams, Kenward Trust CEO, said Mr Watson deserved this recognition for his work "helping young people in anti-social behaviour hotspots, mentoring hard-to-reach young people who are really struggling and providing support for their families too".