A SOUTH Essex College student has won a Jack Petchey award for commitment to his community throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.

Elliot Lind, a supported internship student, won a Jack Petchey Award for his outstanding contribution to his local foodbank.

Elliot has been volunteering at Billericay Foodbank for the last eight months, helping people in need. He assists with unloading and sorting through donations, even working through his summer holidays. The foodbank has seen a dramatic increase in people needing support since the pandemic began.

Angela O'Donoghue, principal and chief executive of the college, and Trustee and college job coach, Stuart Gibbs, presented the award to Elliot.

Mr Gibbs said: "The foodbank had to adapt to meet demand and it's only been possible with the wonderful help and generosity of volunteers like Elliot. He has become integral to the team at the foodbank, this is a great achievement as Elliot has a number of health conditions and associated learning difficulties.

"Elliot has brought a new dimension to the volunteer team, particularly by breaking down barriers and perceptions that young people quite often face with learning difficulties. I'm really proud of him."

For more information about the college's Supported Internship programme, click this link.